survivalblue

Here in Minnesota.

Minnesota Gold Lager about 18 USDs for 24/12 oz cans, 10 dollars for 12/16 oz cans

Hamms is 17 USD for 30/12 oz cans

Microbrews a lot more expensive.

Standard beers like Budweiser, Miller, Coors, run about 24 usd for 24/12 oz cans.

This doesn't reduce anything but the hope for safety ever occurring.

I've been spending most of my time abroad in the Philippines nowadays and have found the immigration process and visa's very easy and straightforward.  An ACR-I card is easy to obtain and good for 1 year, allows for opening bank account and drivers license. 

I'm not retired and not a year round resident, but immigration has always been stay as long as you want and very simple process.  Retirement visas are quite simple and straightforward.

It's not always great, there are pros and cons like anywhere in the world.  Renting or owning a house or condo with good security allows for a very hassle free and affordable alternative to Thailand.  

I wouldn't vouch for the nightlife being worthwhile (except for maybe Angeles or Manila) but if one seeks a homebody not very social lifestyle, it's alright.  

Province life is somewhat boring and uneventful.

Deport the mixed race guy to Cambodia.  He looks bad for the image of Thailand.

I was in a multiple vehicles accident near Ayutthaya province a few years ago with several fender benders and vehicles involved.

Whilst at the police station, the drivers who were coming from behind were all determined to be at fault and needed to pay the fines.  Whomever's vehicle was damaged at the rear is not at fault.

In this case, the driver of the car Samuel Stonard was in the front and the damage to his vehicle was in the rear. 

Under the laws that were instructed to me, this would deem the drivers of the motorbike to be at fault here for not paying attention to what is in front of them, and/or driving to close or quickly upon the vehicles ahead of them.

It doesn't matter if the car was driven by a farang, he was in the front and the guilty is always who is driving behind the accident.  Everything ahead is in the clear.

44 minutes ago, mgthom63 said:

So what if they're not literally soi dogs?  Didn't you get the point the poster was trying to make?

Drug addicts aren't useful to society...should we exterminate them as well?

I'm no animal activist but you seem to have no compassion for life...

I'm not an urbanite.  Where I come from we have wild animals.  I have compassion for life.    But when an animal attacks a human, you shoot it.

This does spring a lot of useful thought,  I don't actually get the point the poster was trying to make no. 

1 hour ago, SpicyMeatball said:

I'd be happy to be your Karma!

Those aren't soi dogs.  

Common sense would be to exterminate a few million stray soi dogs.   It's not like they are useful to society.

If karma is an issue, I'd be happy to be the terminator.  Just give me authority to do it.

4 hours ago, mfd101 said:

I used to slow down & stop at zebra crossings but my b/f would always shout at me to accelerate because the vehicles behind us would smash into us ...

Fortunately, if this happens.  Whomever is in the rear is at fault according to the police, regardless of the situation.  The vehicle in the rear did not stop to prevent the accident.

If she is in custody and also in possession of the "recordings", wouldn't it make sense that the Thai authorities already have possession of these so called "recordings".  Obviously she can't access the recordings in Belarus if she is granted asylum in the US.  So the recordings are with her or on her phone.

Easy solution is to turn over her phone to the US embassy and send her back to Belarus.

The "Ong Bak" Thai warrior movies are pretty good actually.  The first one filmed in 2003 is a bit raw, but the 2nd one in 2008 and 3rd in 2010 were quite good.  

And 2008 "Somtum" was alright.

Other than those movies, there hasn't been any other ones that I could pay attention to or even consider watching.

Should probably tackle your Thai males on motorbikes problem first.  I find it incredibly dangerous to be a pedestrian in Pattaya.  Constantly having to be aware of everything.  Including when I'm on the sidewalks. 

If this sort of driving behavior continues, it will never be safe for "tourists" in Pattaya.  Forget the snatch thieves, ladyboy thieves, and drunken assaults.  

Thai males on motorbikes is the most dangerous aspect of Pattaya.

There are actually groups of educated Thai people trying to spread awareness to the public in some National Parks.  Specifically Khao Yai, I was able to attend a program that was showing the effects of feeding and disturbing the wildlife and attempting to make people aware of the problems that occur when humans interfere with the natural habitat of the animals.  

Whilst a number of people were involved and paying attention, and being affiliated with the group granted me a free entrance to the park, I still watched monkeys being fed and even attacking young children who carried food.

There were also a number of "safari" groups out at night with large spotlights driving around looking for elephants and animals.

So in all reality, attempting to educate the public on wildlife protocol is about as effective as trying to stop the monkeys in Lopburi from stealing your pepsi while your not looking.  It just isn't going to happen without proper law enforcement.

I need to get to Koh Chang from Pattaya and it appears the new Sattahip ferry service is no operational, nor will it be any year soon.

Burapha https://www.buspattayakohchang.com appears like a decent way, but they don't seem to have their service fully operational and just is a front for the death van operations.   If the drivers are not kamikaze, I'm alright with it.  

I'm more than happy to spend the extra hour on a bigger bus (safer) and get off at Laem Ngop and take the songthaew into the ferry.  If the songthaew are still around.

It's been a number of years since I've done this sort of trip so I need some up to date info and the online info seems to be futuristic rather than present.

Seeking a way from Pattaya to Koh Chang, one way trip, comfortable and safe as can be inexpensive transport.  

This has all the factors of going horribly wrong.  Scary to say the least.

I'll put in my psychic bit and declare all 365 days of 2018 that Saturn is also weighing in heavily and please be careful of road accidents.  Especially at night, but just as much in the day.

It's dangerous out there on the roads, be safe.

10 hours ago, PAIBKK said:

Food poisoning: This year saw 101,000 fallen sick with 3 deaths from food poisoning. The department predicted that around 100,000 food poisoning cases next year, or 9,000–11,000 a month particularly during January-May.

 

Only 101,000 fallen sick ??? 

At least times half the population has had food poisoning last year. The chance of getting food poisoning is way higher then winning anything in the Thai lottery. 

 

Myself on average once per month, last food poisoning was on Sunday Dec 17th and I am cooking myself 4 to 5 times per week, leaving us going out 2 - 3 times per week... 

 

Thai cooks and hygiene standards don't match. Employees not washing their hands after visiting the toilet, saw it with my own eyes last Thursday while washing my hands after ordering and before having some food. A cook on a Thai toilet (the ones that you can't sit) having a dump, flushing the toilet with a cup of (sewer) water, coming out and going straight to the kitchen preparing the meat... I called my wife, stepped on my bike and drove off without canceling my order!!!

 

If you say the letters HACCP meaning Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points in Thailand, the Thais are thinking you're talking an outer universe language. 

I'd agree with the food borne illness stuff.  I cook most of my own meals and am highly hygienic with my food handling.  It makes me ill to think that someone doesn't wash their hands before handling the food I eat.  So I'm quite selective of where I eat and what I eat.

Don't forget about all the other conditions and diseases that are spreading among society.  Please people, stay home!  do not go outside under any circumstances.  It's a sick world out there.  And definitely don't touch anyone or anything.  

Containment!  we must contain and refrain.......

Or just go out and have a good time, that is what I'm planning to do.