Ajarnbrian

If taxis in Bangkok were fair, honest, decent service, then Grab and Bolt could not compete. Taxi rules need enforcing, drivers better trained, then they can get business.

In Thailand we are discreet and conduct our affairs in private, sometimes on a daily basis. Such wanton public displays of lust and desire are shocking.

Menacing, threatening leading to jail? perhaps so. Criticising, not at all!

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

As posted elsewhere:

 

Many of us drive motorcycles or scooters here, and it is dangerous getting on the roads with some of these other drivers. Getting on a scooter, or a motorcycle anywhere in Thailand, much less Phuket, Phangan, Dark Tao, or Samui without a very good helmet, or alot of riding experience, is like playing Russian Roulette with three or four bullets in the chamber. It is absolutely asking for problems. The degree of recklessness here is astounding. And many foreigners come here thinking "how much trouble could I get in on a little scooter, on a tropical island"? Well, the answer is alot.

 

The amount of foreigners who are killed on the Southern islands is staggering. Most are not reported in the media. I had a friend who worked for Samui rescue for many years, and said the numbers were about 30-60 a month, on Samui, Phangan Phuket and Dark Tao. The official number is about 3 a month. Rider beware. Use as good a helmet as you can afford, and do not use these eggshells pieces of crap. They crack at the first impact, and what lies underneath them? Your skull, which is very delicate.

 

I have been riding bikes for 49 years. Without any serious accidents. A few minor ones over the years. Riding a bike here is very dangerous. If not the highest, one of the highest fatality rates in the world. And an accident here can be very costly, to your person.  Just ask yourself- do I have enough problems already, without a broken skull, or smashed head, or face injury, or lost eye?

 

I have three friends who have been in motorbike accidents on Samui. One still cannot walk, or talk or function on her own, from a motorbike accident, where she hit her head on the pavement going only 20 kph. The other one has lost alot of his mental capacity after hitting his head. He insisted for years he would never wear a helmet. Now, he seems 15 years older. The third one is a close friend, who was hit by a sidecar, and nearly lost his leg. 11 operations later and after spending many millions of baht, he can walk, but with a limp, and the leg has caused him constant problems, many years later. 

Wise words. All those tempted to ignore motorcycle safety for holiday fun, please, please read, think and remind your mates.

Tariffs will hurt American consumers and components importers. Brings inflation, retaliation and possible trade wars, reduced economic activity and breaking of trust with trading partners. Terrible misreading of basic economics.

Just 700 square metres? That’s small!

Politicians should expect this, especially those who are controversial. Well said Brian.

The word spread, more visitors came, it became a tourist honeypot, more money making outsiders came, backpackers with little regard for local culture arrived in droves. What was attractive about Pai over 10 years ago is largely lost. Time to aim for a better class of tourist.

“We need competent people. We need smart people.” Absolutely right, sensible conservatives realise this.

On 12/31/2024 at 12:20 PM, Yagoda said:

I submit that there is enough evidence to indict Joe Biden. I would be looking at:

 

Conspiracy (general)

Tax Fraud

Money Laundering

 

Who agrees or disagrees and why?

 

BTW, Hunter no longer can claim 5th Amendment

Are you an attention-seeking lawyer looking for work? What ‘evidence’ do you, or indeed any reader here, actually have? 

“Foreigner causes Christmas chaos….in Pattaya”. Not just Christmas that some foreigners cause chaos there.

In the American political system Donald Trump won by a clear majority of votes. Now many of those voters may be uneducated, naive or feeling left behind and they saw the Democrats as hopeless but that is still clear support for Trump and a mandate to govern. 

For those who imagine UK lacks free speech these days, remember the level of hate speech and dangerous misinformation being spouted by extremists online these days. Also remember how much worse it is for free speech in China, Russia. Despite its faults, UK is preferable to most countries,

Clearly they didn’t want a late night meat and two veg.

Laos is a beautiful country. The tragedy happened in Vang Vieng, where other young travellers have died over the past decade or so. Avoid the place, go to other destinations in Laos, stick to a bottle of Beer Lao.

“Insufficient evidence” means someone cannot be convicted. Forensic evidence, security cameras, eye witness accounts are needed. Knowing someone is not enough.

Most candidates in US presidential elections have many shortcomings. Trump has more than any other in living memory. He is ethically and morally unfit to be president.

UK State Pension is frozen, meaning no annual increases ever, living in Thailand, Australia, Canada etc. However, it is not frozen, meaning you do get annual increases living in USA, Philippines and EU countries. Of course this is grossly inequitable as State Pension is based on number of years of NI contributions, to a max of 35 years for full pension. Without the annual increases it loses value in real terms. UK governments have been lobbied for years to change this inequity but all have refused to do so.

Demand-driven pricing for airlines these days. As more tickets are sold for a flight, the price goes up. And using attractive headline price to grab attention, with lots of extras like bags, seat, card payment fee then added. Bangkok Airways have higher prices, fewer add-ons, better level of service and lounge to use at BKK if you are transferring to another flight with them. For cheaper domestic flights at times others don’t want to fly, eg Tues late evening in low season.

Long time Republicans rejecting Trump, whose adherence to the democratic process, selfless serving of the nation and outstanding ethical and moral leadership qualities have captured the imagination of highly educated middle America. Wonder if Cheney has noticed something all those Americans have missed?