Fortean1

Good information. I've never used a VPN. Avast security program has one.

One U.S. government agency has consistently changed my zip code in Thailand, 77220, to 939, which is routed to Paris, France. I've tried shortening the province name from Prachuabkhirikhan to Pracuab as Thais often do. That does not help. I've dealt with Capital One banking. They will not send credit cards or allow me look at their web site. During a visit to the U.S., our first in nine years, I closed that account. I still must make another phone call to have the 1099-INT statement sent to my son's home in Las Vegas. Capital One bought out ING and US/REI Bank. I could access those account on-line. Terry ( a few miles south of Hua Hin )

It varies at each IO. More importantly, what has happened to my ASEAN NOW newsfeed? I used to get at least two updates daily. Now I see mention of X, formerly Twitter. It has been over a weak. I am a member or was a member. Terry ( a few miles south of Hua Hin )

Rooster, where are you these days? I miss your podcasts and written reports. I suspect you are a bit put off by the treatment one often gets here on ASEAN NOW. We just returned on 3 Oct after spending four months in Maryland and then in Las Vegas. We visited and were visited by our five adult children, their spouses, and our 12 grandchildren. I did feel somewhat like an alien in my own country. Cheers to you. Terry ( a few miles south of Hua Hin ) . . .

We arrived in Bangkok on 3 Oct, then back home on Sunday the 8th. No True Visions service so I called 1242. The woman said there were thunderstorms two weeks ago in Bangkok. I told her we were gone for four months to the U.S. As we were talking True Visions service came back on our four televisions. I always hesitate when someone tells me "automatic". Terry near Hua Hin . . .

HSR in Thailand seems to be stymied with negotiations between the governments of China and Thailand. There is some speculation on why this is so. I heard that the Chinese wanted to have entrepreneur rights along the railroad lines. Also, who pays the construction costs seems hazy. Design and construction by whom is moot too. Terry ( a few miles south of Hua Hin )

Yes it is. I am 74 and still impressionable.

That ain't a close encounter, whatever those may be. You'd think with advent of cell/mobile phones(*) that there would be abundant photos and videos of UAPs, but it is just the opposite. I did forward this to the Fortean Times in the UK, but think it won't make the cut. (*) During testing of Mobile Subscriber equipment (1984-1987), conducted by the U.S. Army and the French Army, we laid some of the groundwork for the architecture of sending data while maneuvering. Later Nokia picked up on and improved on all that. Testing done at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Several lucky blokes trained on equipment in France. . Terry .

"Monsoon" weather in the American Southwest has been wonky, that is, unpredictable. We return to Thailand on 3 Oct. Our house is a few miles south of Hua Hin. Terry in Las Vegas.

Our first trip in 9 years to the U.S. Departure on 1 June was quick. We return on 3 Oct from Las Vegas so I expect a quite full plane. Wheelchairs both ways. Nine years ago I and my Thai wife used the Thai immigration lanes, just a few minutes.

Update: T Got the four months suspension, but no confirmation other than the phone call. I was told that renewal on 1 October was "automatic". We shall see. Now introduced to streaming service here in Maryland. That is amazing. Terry a few miles south of Hua Hin

A few miles south of Hua Hin in cactus country only a brief shower two weeks ago whereas Hua Hin had a strong rain. We are off to Maryland in the U.S. on June 1st to enjoy the cooler weather.

The Wikipedia offers explanation of the lower house and upper house. The latter is the Senate. It has 250 members. Details in this unofficial source are at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_Thailand The news media does not seem to describe the composition and how the Senators can vote for the Prime Minister. Can you discuss on either/or Saturday and Sunday? Terry in Thailand

I do not see any email addresses for True Visions. Do you have one or more email addresses for True Visions? Maybe my eyes are crossed. I tried opening an account at their web site. It is indeed a mess.

I wanted to suspend television service for four months, 1 June to 1 October. I have called 1242 twice. The first operator said to wait until early May. The second operator said to wait until 20 or 21 May. They also said make sure to pay your bill. We have four tvs and pay 3,000 baht per month. Oh, the guy said they could send an email to me confirming the suspension. I know many people have dropped True Visions. I just want to hear about experiences that are possibly good, bad, and/or ugly. Terry near Hua Hin

Your story is profound to me. My father served in WW 2, Pacific Theater, in the U.S. Navy. He had depression and lost a lot of weight. When I was 16, my Dad killed himself at age 40, in 1966. He used a rubber hose running from the car exhaust. This was done in the stripper pits east of Evansville, Indiana. I recommend watching this John Huston film made in 1946. It is about one hour long: John Huston does much of the narration. I too served in Vietnam at the Headquarters and Headquarters company of the 1st Aviation Brigade. I worked in the teletype communications center and later maintained codes and made the stenciled booklets of SOIs for use by the pilots of our light aircraft and helicopters. I served at Long Binh 1/71 to 7/72. I may have a mild form of PTSD. Terry ( a few miles south of Hua Hin )

Tim, we celebrate Songkran from home. It is better to watch the news re the festivities. Our neighbor has done the traditional respectful pouring of water for the older folks, but she is in Germany this year. Those delays in the high speed rail lines seems to be the give-and-take negotiations between the Thais and the Chinese. I heard years ago opinions that the Chinese wanted value-added access to land either side of the railroads to build hotels, restaurants, etc. We live near Pran Buri, just south of Hua Hin. The overpasses (flyovers) were completed two years ago. Everyone, be good and have a safe Songkran.

Tim, your vblog stopped at 1:41. Odd that. Internet is OK. I just watched Rooster's vblog. I now have watched the entire show. False alarm. Terry

Thank you, Rooster! I have adapted but like others I preferred TWTW although I realize that is much more work. Cynics insist on giving you a hard time. A vblog colleague, Tim Newton, in Phuket does a 15 to 20 minutes show Monday thru Friday. His Saturday and Sunday shows are about about one hour. Sundays is Grumpy Old Men. These TNT, Tim Newton Today, are at YouTube.

Slow news day. Like the extra English lessons.

My excuse is 50% hearing loss. I cannot make out the tones. I took one year of Spanish. I am a dunce when it comes to languages. If I could 'see' the tones perhaps I'd do better.

Rooster, Good to see you and 'almost' hear you. My hearing is at 50%. I did hear when you raised your voice in emphasis and when you spoke the phonetic Thai that copied Chuwit's poster. I would favor a microphone if it boosts the volume. Of course I also have a fan in my right ear. Terry ( a few miles south of Hua Hin )

It is rare for any police person to go to jail. I look forward to seeing a few convicted. Pollution this year is very bad. We live just south of Hua Hin and have for the last 13 years. The euphemism of "dust" is often used to describe the pollution. I suppose if you stay in air conditioning that will help relieve the symptoms.

I don't know what to make of this. This Steve Rosse character talks a mile a minute. I agree that holding back six months to a year before investing is a good idea. My Thai wife is two years older than me, and I'm 73. That thing about not talking Thai at home is so true. That, my bad hearing, and not learning more Thai language is also so true. I think I'm sliding backward as I try to remember new words and most escape me. Chuwit's "Ai sak" should never be spoken in public.

I agree that pollution is all around us in the burning season. Here south of Hua Hin sugarcane fields and open burning by local residents. As soon as 5 p.m. rolls around the air is filled with smoke, eyes are burning and coughing now and then. Yes, plastics of all sorts are mixed in by the locals. I have a large vegetation pile across the street from our house. When a local 'chang' deposits debris in that pile it will have plastic. I've tried to educate them but to no avail. It is ingrained behavior.