Fortean1

Yes, it does look like a possum and not an oversize rat.

Any reliable links that investigate the construction costs that include the true number of deaths and injuries? We came here 16 years ago and live a few miles south of Hua Hin. The road trip coming to Bangkok and leaving Bangkok has become more and more dangerous. As cited above the roadway is in terrible shape and the risk of falling debris is worsening.

Another comment re PROTO: "Obligatory CC-1 note excerpted from the comments: Anonymous @ 2013-09-01 10:31:50 1977-1979 -- Lived in the barracks in Bldg D on AFSOUTH. Since I was a day worker I had to ride a bus for an hour to get to Proto. There was always one or two games of hearts or spades being played in aisle between the seats. Man, this is bringing back memories. I was there when the DoD offered AFSOUTH a connection into the AUTODIN system. Trouble was, the slowest they could communicate was 600 baud and the fastest line in Proto's system was 300 baud. Luckily, we were able alter the computer software to poll the AUTODIN line often enough to pass traffic successfully. Yes, we were using a computer, a Dec PDP 1135, to move traffic from one NATO teletype machine to another. The wonders of technology. Fortean1's comment today: Yes, that was a Mode V circuit to the ASC, AUTODIN Switching Center, in Coltano, Italy. Their routing indicator was RUFLCSA. Our routing indicators were RXFEAA and RXFEAD. I recall we sent a few messages weekly and received almost nothing. Terry

PROTO was several minutes walk, maybe 1,000+ feet and then a left turn through those blast doors. The U.S. 6th Fleet in the Med had a Fleet Broadcast and the TARE computer, a PDP model, switching center to relay teletype messages. The routing indicator was RXFE. The PROTO link had this comment by myself: "Terry W Colvin here. I worked the Tunnel 4 communications center at Bagnoli. Recall the NATO war games (CIMEX/WINTEX) at Proto 1977 to 1980. Those of us living at those no longer existing apartment towers at Pineta Mare had the option of taking the bus back to our homes which I did. We had five children and my wife did not drive. When the Iran hostage crisis broke o/a November 4, 1979, we were working the war game at Proto. When the teletypes started to go silent we knew that something big had happened. Rumors that an airborne division would be deployed to Turkey began to circulate. As we know that did not happen. Good to read the stories here. A great assignment and the best shift duty I've ever had. Terry, now living a few miles south of Hua Hin, Thailand. " https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/proto-former-nato-allied-forces-europe-southern-europe-afsouth-underground-hq/ The long abandoned facility is no more. I wonder if there is a replacement somewhere near Naples.

I agree that the power of those Soviet/Warsaw Pact tank armies was hyped. Repair of tanks needed strong trees to pulley out tracks and engines. That and our conventional weapons, esp. air power, would make a sizeable dent. Of course in the NATO war games after our use of tactical nukes the Soviet/Warsaw Pact forces said "Meh" and beat feet for their home countries. I think not. There is a book that sensationally shows an attack on NATO in the 1980s that succeeded in bringing much of Europe to their knees. It is The Third World War, The Untold Story by General Sir John Hackett. I read it during our tour of duty in Panama 1981-84. I was impressed. Last year during our visit to the U.S. I found this book in my son Jeremy's library. I began reading it again and made it to page 264. It was lots of speculation and of course did not account for the rot of the Soviet war machine since the fall of the Soviet empire in 1990. Also, those Warsaw Pact forces would not be all that reliable.

As the world's policeman the U.S. has those bases for reasons, whether good to bad, is the necessary evil. I served in Naples, Italy from 1977 to 1980 during an intense phase of the Cold War. I suppose we were lulled into thinking that Putin would focus on making money for himself and his cronies. Alas, he wants to make Russia great again. I agree that some NATO countries spent less than the 2% required at the founding of NATO. The UK has allowed its military to wither away. Germany even more so.

My Uncles Gerald and Russell were in the UK in 1944. My Dad went to the Pacific. Allies get training at many bases in the U.S. Pilots from Europe train especially at bases in Arizona. NATO was defense oriented until Putin invaded Ukraine and thought Cold War 2 was a good idea. China not so much. Iran and North Korea are the wild cards who seek profit over any political beliefs.

I worked a NATO/OTAN communications center in Naples, Italy from 1977 to 1980. Our war games focused on defeating Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces. Two likely invasion points were the Ruhr Valley in Germany and the Po River Valley in northern Italy. One of our customers in the peacetime alliance was the French Military Mission. The French were active in the military arm of NATO, not the economic and political arms. Our facility was in downtown Naples; however, war games were conducting using the facility at PROTO. This inside a mountain complex was northeast of Naples. It had blast doors and a fully contained environment. War games were in November. Olivetti teletypes clattered away and the message center processed hundreds of messages daily. The teletypes slowly went quiet the last two days. The U.S. and Allies had used tactical nukes on those Soviet tank armies.

Presidential protection during and after an election became law in the early 1800s. The party out of power would go after the sitting President. That is why protection is so strong.

Specialized radars should track these low speed objects to source launch areas and recovery areas. What is so difficult about that>

Our pool is 5 meters by 12 meters. Originally built in 2012 as a salt water pool that became a chlorine pool. Our pool lady and teenage helper come twice a week at a fee of 2,500 per month. Our Hayward pump motor lasted 11, rewired three times. Finally bought a pump advertised in Hua Hin. After a few months it works for one filter cycle only. It requires priming the water well and using only one valve out of three for the four outflow outlets in the pool bottom. I am 76 so even just priming the pump is a chore. My wife at age 79 does not use the pool. I might use it every few weeks. Any advice on pump motor brands is welcome. Terry, a few miles south of Hua Hin.

Also, the blood pressure devices in hospitals are not reliable. I've experienced this also at private hospitals.

Yep, had it happen twice. First time 1,000 baht, second time 500 baht. The HHIO does not keep track of your residence address. My note of residence slip is dated 2015. Only need residence letter when getting a new Thai driver's license.

Yes, a short rundown on some of the ghosts in Thailand. Thai ghosts are much more likely to have a conversation with you. After 16 years and nary a ghost experience here I'd say my foreign mindset and culture is the cause. I've seen so many in soap operas.

I've driven here for 16 years and at age 75 my reflexes are slower. There are careful and good drivers here. I drive a lot in the countryside on usually two lane roads. Perhaps I've adjusted to the point where I think this is normal. Whenever we travel to Bangkok I am more tense and nervous. I definitely do not use Zebra crossings and avoid even walking near traffic. In my military career I've driven in Naples, Italy; Panama, South Korea, and in Vietnam. I am not Buddhist. My wife of 51 years is probably closer to being an agnostic than a Buddhist.