Jonathan Swift

Your'e comment is disgusting in its bigotry and racist hatred. You don't belong here, so please self deport. Meanwhile, when your comment gets deleted because it is offensive, I am the one who reported it. Yup, point the finger at me, I am proud to stand for the values I was raised on, and which the Thai people embrace. Don't go away mad, just go away.

Depends on how you define woke. They don't have to be "woke" because they have always been largely free of hate and bigotry against which woke came into being into other countries. Thais are inherently cautious and reluctant to rock the boat. In other words, they have nothing to be woke from, besides the fact that western terms don't even translate here. You can't superimpose western thinking onto Thailand. It's sad that in the west the term is used as an insult and treated as a dirty word just because a demographic of people are trying to move forward in ways that another demographic group objects to. And on the "woke" side, obviously there is extremism that undermines otherwise well intentioned attempts at change. But that's the nature of change - the pendulum always swings and overshoots its mark before reversing into the other direction where it also overshoots. I find it sad and disturbing to see this western cultural civil war in which nobody wins raging on, with the casualties being peace and harmony. Thai society has largely achieved those two things, pre-empting those derogatory divisive terms. Peace to you brother, and to everyone.

I know there are a lot of complaints about this, as to me, I have always accepted it as a built in part of this culture. I think the Thais are entitled to make their living, there are enough wonderful and enjoyable things here that those prices don't affect or bother me in the least. I've been here 11 years and there are so many cheap or free things to do that I don't even encounter any of the farang prices. I'm not going to give anyone advice because at 67 years I know better. But I think you can choose whether to get your underwear in a bunch or just accept the status quo and enjoy life. At some point when the tourism minister decides that this hurts tourism something might be done, but it's more likely that they would consider this a valuable revenue stream

I think it's fundamentally a self esteem, confidence, and body image problem, and those are emotional issues beneath all else. Counseling would be helpful to explore that thoroughly before any decision is made, but I know little or nothing about that kind of therapy in Thailand. On the one hand big boobs might make her feel good with no other complications. But There's a chance that if this doesn't cure the self esteem issues then she may remain confused after spending a nice chunk of change. People can become addicted to cosmetic surgery. I think you are quite insightful about this being more complicated than it might appear on the surface, and you are to be commended for having the right kind of sensible concerns for her and the outcome. If this were in the US and it were me I would go with her to couples' counseling to tease out whether this is the right move as far as her self esteem and happiness go. I wish you both well. BTW, not all surgeons are created equal, if you go that route put due diligence into finding one whose work is outstanding.

Absolutely. These dogs are miserable, full of parasites, malnourished. Thailand could, if it really wanted to, address the problem, implement a neutering problem, because no matter how many you kill the remainder will still breed. I think only culling AND neutering will make a dent in it.

You obviously have no clue about Buddhist teachings. People don't reincarnate as anything but people. And you live here?

The usual narrow minded armchair critics. Rest assured he will try again and again and again because he has nothing constructive to offer.

Well, you certainly won't be among any volunteers will you? Nah, too much effort required to actually help, easier to be an armchair quarterback and just complain

Don't you remember doing stupid things when you were that age? Yes, it's a degrading way to behave in public, but I think the mode of transportation shows that the locals still afford them some respect and practicality in safely bringing them home. I wouldn't hold them in contempt unless they acted contemptuously. It all depends on the behavior. Falling down repeatedly as relatively innocent. And yes, it's more likely they might earn disrespect with drunken behavior, so I agree wholeheartedly about the risks involved. These risks can literally be fatal. I absolutely agree they should have had designated babysitters. I tell people new to Thailand - two rules: 1. Don't be stupid (this being a foreign country which they are not acclimated to) and 2. don't get falling down drunk [unless you have the aforementioned babysitter] which also comes uunder #1. Cheers.

In case you'd like to improve your language skills, silicon is the hard element that computer chips and glass (silicon dioxide/silica) are made out of. Silicone is hydrocarbon chain molecule comprising a class of rubbers, gels, and lubricants, including WD40, window caulking, and flexible kitchen utensils. Although i've seen a few botched surgeries where you really can't tell the difference between the boobs and sandbags.

The new Thailand free tourist taxi. Now they'll have this news story and video to remind them of how much fun they had being wheeled like rubbish back to their hostel, otherwise they might never know, Unlikely they would otherwise remember. On a serious note, here is the opportunity of a lifetime for young people to shape their future around an adventure of a lifetime with all of the beauty and inspirational fun experiences one could hope to find only to anesthetize themselves into total numbness and go through it deaf dumb and blind. On top of which comes all of the not inconsiderable risk involved in putting yourself into that state. I find it sad. In my drinking days this only happened to me a few times, and that was more than enough. I think it was because I paid attention to what others looked like when they did this and said, ehhhh, no thanks. Also, I preferred hallucinogens (in the 60s-70s) which tended to steer me in the opposite direction from mental numbness. haha

Ask the guy with the moustache

I've been doing it online since the year after covid. no problems at all, confirmation is quick.

How old was your pension when this occurred? What about the statute of limitations?

As usual, nothing of value to read here, just the usual squabbling babies sticking their tongues out at each other.

I thought it was how you live that was important. Correction noted.

That's an oversimplification. Whether it's realistic depends on the individual. Determination and motivation are a large part of the equation but certainly not the only thing. With opioids and cocaine brain chemistry becomes sabotaged, so that the very tool you need to cure yourself is compromised by the disease. It's hard to do mind over matter if the mind itself is broken. Once people are in the throes of addiction It's a very complicated human mess to sort out. Both my brother and son died of their addictions, I sorted mine out as did my other brother. Older brother has been sliding back, meanwhile I'm living in Bangkok surrounded by drinking and drunks and I rarely touch a beer, I usually prefer soda water and juice.

They all lie. Why is this any different? And we now have round 2 of the biggest liar in history. The whole country's political system is built on decades of lie after lie after lie. Biden has one foot in the grave already, his career is otherwise exemplary, and he has the opportunity to give his son a chance to get his troubled life back. What would you do if this was your son? At this stage no one has anything to lose whatsoever, and the idea that this might make MAGA go nuclear and be unable to impeach or do anything else about it is compelling and quite appealing. There's no political blowback because the democrats have already shot themselves in both feet. As far as I'm concerned the only thing that matters to me is that I'm here and not there. There's no more room in my head for any of that crɑp

If this was Pai there are suddenly a lot of Israelis there, they are not hard to spot based on their features, dress, and demeanor. As to where I'm from, (US) I tell people I'm from the moon, or I say we're divorced and I don't talk about my ex.

You just revealed your level of maturity by attempting a homophobic personal attack in a country that doesn't give a flying f which side of the fence anyone swings on. How do you know that none of your prospective conquests don't come with hidden bonuses? Did you audition them firsthand? So do let us know when your 21st birthday is up, or your high school graduation, we'll thrown you a party and even throw in a few prepaid bar girls/boys/ladyboys and you can sample the lot and see how you like them.

Awww, don't burst his bubble, let him have his wet dream. He can learn the same way as the rest of us

Stimulating conversation with a bar girl? Are they ever NOT "stimulating"? Is that not why we go? I like a girl who talks with her hands.

You are to be admired, it's a sad story. At least you tried, and more people should do so before they write off a troubled individual. I've had similar experiences where I've tried but found the person to be incorrigible, including my brother and his son, who both died in succession of overdoses at about the same age. I've also had some startling successes that I never knew about until they told me years later how I'd helped. My philosophy was that sometimes all a person needs is a bit of a push in the right direction to make a difference if they're teetering at a precipice. Are you sure there isn't a process that would protect your identity?

How about this: I admire his compassion, values, and unselfishness, of which you apparently have none. You don't have to be like him, but the moral vacuum behind your crude comment is particularly reprehensible.

Which might be a good thing, if that means serious crime is down