Banana7

I was diagnosed with hypertension when I went into Bang Lamung hospital with chest pains, BP 220/160. Since the hospital visit, I had been taking Anapril 20mg for about 3 years, which reduced bp into the 130/85 range. I changed my diet in April 2024 to a keto diet, cut out all sugars, starches, products with white flour, and seed oils. BP in June was averaging 105/68 with the Anapril. In June this year, doctor authorized to stop Anapril all together. Now I eat mostly very low net carb foods, meats, and whole foods. Now BP is: lowest 107/67, worst 134/83, most days 125/83, with no Anapril. Since April I have lost 22 lbs., BMI now is 21.5. Also cut out statins for high cholesterol. Diet can make a huge difference. With the initial keto diet, also reduce eating window to 5-6 hours per day. Now I eat only once a day, 4 course meal, and feel better than I have felt in decades. I also walk at least one hour per day.

Lots traffic violations on many streets West of Sukhumvit highway. Basically, Pattaya Police are not enforcing traffic laws all the time. Many times the traffic police sit in the intersection police boxes watching TV or playing on their phones. Sometimes Police will enforce for one or 2 days, followed by 3 months of nothing. Lots of examples on Beach Road, parking in red and yellow zones, and in red painted bus stop zones. Vendors, like restaurants, block off beach road parking for their customers. Then there are the motorcycle businesses that permanently park their rental vehicles on the street. Let's not forget the food vendors on the streets. Check around Beach Road Soi 13/1 to 13/4. Some restaurants (Hops) even have parking attendants on the street reserving parking for their customers. Also, many streets have inadequate sidewalks for pedestrians, so people have to walk on the vehicle part of the road, which narrows the vehicle pathway. Of course, Pattaya traffic management people turnoff the pedestrian crossing lights, so that vehicles have the right-of-way all the time. Amazing Thailand!

I learned a longtime ago, do not lend money to friends if you expect it to be returned. It's the fastest way to lose a friend. Just say I don't have money to lend/loan. If there is a good reason to borrow money, the bank has lots, and they will loan it, providing there is a good reason and a high probability of payback. They may also want some collateral. Re-direct to professional money lenders.

Thailand needs to add a huge steel tariff to imported Chinese steel products else all Thai steel production companies will go bankrupt. China is dumping steel into many countries. One of China's biggest steel company declared bankruptcy, debts of many billions of dollars. Most chinese steel have more finished steel inventory than their distributors. As these chinese steel companies continue going bankrupt, most certainly, their inventories will be sold at heavily discounted prices which no producer can compete with. See here for more details:

In 2 years, 2026 is the planned completion date, subject to change.

I also recommend that at least one rod is 1 meter long, solid copper, and driven down below ground surface, if possible, damp soil.

It's so dangerous and costly to have relationships with women in countries like canada and USA. One business man in Ontario has to pay his girlfriend $50K per month, initially for life, but later on appeal it was reduced to 10 years. They never married, and never had children, and kept separate residences. You can google it, but here is one link : https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/no-home-or-kids-together-but-couple-still-spouses-appeal-court-rules

You're right.

This guy in the video is probably the highest paid divorce lawyer in USA, most clients are billionaires and movie stars. It's worth listening to him for 2 hours for free, as he answers many questions about relationships, prenups, marriage and divorce.

At one point, getting cash in Thailand using a WISE card was possible by going to any bank that issues VISA cards. There was no fee for over the counter (OTC) transactions. The fee was only charged when using an ATM. I haven't tried OTC lately. Maybe someone in Thailand can try it and comment.

The line they used for me was my premium went up exactly the amount as the discount, each year. I asked why? They said because the parts cost more every year so they had to boost my premium, even though I made no claims.

Here is a video with one of best divorce lawyers in USA. He identifies many points and risks of marriage especially without a prenup agreement. Comments?

Here is a better video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0maa1MLV0

Here's another video

Lots of passport bros are coming to Thailand. Search on youtube for interesting videos. Here is one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0maa1MLV0 and

Never show money, wallet or phone to a stranger, to satisfy their curiosity.

Bangkok is planting 2 millions trees and making 130 new parks by 2030. See here: How about Pattaya planting 100K trees by 2030 and start by planting 2,000 shade trees on Pattaya beach? How about making some new parks with trees? Are the city politicians listening? How about starting to provide some benefits to the city inhabitants with all those property taxes City Hall is collecting? Enhancing green spaces is crucial to making the city more livable, especially to attract expatriates

Good choice. How much $$? Be sure to get new gaskets/washer to all adjoining parts.

The leak looks like it is between the body and the rusty screw. I would try to find stainless steel (SS) or brass screws/bolts that are exactly the same size (thread, length, width and head) as the existing, replace all screws. Also replace the washers with SS, brass or nylon washers. Rusty washers and bolts rarely seal well. I didn't see any cracks on the housing, but you must inspect it closely. The housing surface, where the washer sits and both sides of the washers, need to be perfectly flat, clean, dry and smooth, no scratches. Some 3M silicon(or other very high quality) for wet areas or gasket silicon/sealer on both sides of the washer, would help seal the leak. The sealers must be applied to clean dry surfaces and must be totally dry before you test. I use silicon or plumbers putty. Read the instructions on the sealers and give extra time for curing. Finding the parts maybe challenging but I would contact Hitachi, at their Bangkok offices. If the original parts are not rust proof, try to find the SS, or brass ones. Bangkok will have them, maybe near China town.

I've spent time in both locations. Basically Phuket is more expensive for everything. Restaurant meals are twice Pattaya prices, Phuket transportation in some cases 5 times more than Pattaya prices, accommodation is at least 50% more expensive in Phuket, density of Russians is much greater in Phuket, Phuket gets lots more rain than Pattaya.

From the mid-19th century onwards, the traditional topless attire of Siamese women began to be viewed as obscene, and attires revealing female breasts were then regarded as 'un-Thai' expressions of depraved Western sexual culture

This is from the wise website. -------- You can use your Wise card to make online payments. For some online payments, you’ll be asked to approve the payment from your Wise app, or using a code sent by SMS or call. This is called a 3D Secure (3DS) online payment and is an added level of security some websites ask for. Once you approve, your payment will go through as normal. Some websites only accept locally issued cards. So if your online payment gets declined, that might be why.

Do not sign anything unless you understand the writing. In Thailand, if you are not fluent in Thai language, do not sign anything written in Thai, until you get a certified translation into a language you understand. Even if a policeman tells you sign something and gives you a verbal translation, do not sign it, get the certified written translation. Do not accept a police interpreter's translation verbally or in writing, unless they are a certified translator. Certified means certified by the Ministry of Foreigner Affairs.

If a condo price is 30-40M baht, not many have an adequate down payment to buy. So maybe they can afford an adequate monthly lease payment

Who financed the construction of all these unsold condos? Most prudent lenders would want to see at least 50% sold on plan units before lending anything to the developer.