Cat Boy

Yes, it is. I South Korea it is the #1 chat app, just as Line is in Thailand. But, more to the point, Line is the correct answer to the OPs query, whilst the central issue with Skype's demise is the ability to call land-line phones. (other chat apps like FB Messenger, WhatsApp, etc, connect well for mobile to mobile calls, be it voice or video, but do not connect to land-line phones, such as are still used by banks, credit card companies and government) Viper provides this capability and like Skype offers pre-paid credits either globally or for specific countries or, alter, an ongoing subscription service for those who make more frequent calls.

Since the article never used the words, China nor Chinese, odd that you would implicate that country and those nationals specifically. Are you a Thai construction industry insider? Or just inherently sinophobic; seeing the dreaded "Red Terror" everywhere you look?

Its only been a week, the site investigation remains underway. Substandard rebar has been already been sited. https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/substandard-steel-bars-used-in-bangkok-skyscraper-that-collapsed-during-earthquake-says-thai-officials/ar-AA1C7lc6

The ill-fated would-be audit administration building in Chatuchuck collapsed as a direct result of gross negligence in construction, the earthquake merely triggered what would have likely happened in due course anyway, albeit with even greater loss of life and injury. Numerous other ongoing buildings under construction in Bangkok suffered no damage whatsoever. The so-called "Ghost Tower" has survived since construction was halted after the "Asian Tigers" financial crisis of 1997, as a direct result of the presence of preternatural forces within it that have kept both the building, Bangkok, and its inhabitants safe all these years hence - just kidding. The core construction on that building was entirely finished with just the interior work, glass and finishing touches remaining, and there's no reason it would collapse this soon, although if you've seen the documentary "Earth after humans", in a few hundred years unattended, who knows. With that said, now is certainly a time for inspections there and elsewhere, a reassessment of vulnerability, regulation and enforcement. Still, having worked prior to retirement in disaster response, I'm very much impressed with the absence of significant damage from this earthquake and the abundance of caution in the days following. Yes, the emergency notification mechanism was delayed, and this is, similarly, an opportunity to improve on that.

What exactly are these "disconcerting records" and who are these "International experts". One building collapsed catastrophically. Already negligence has been found in the use of sub-standard rebar. Its abundantly clear there was corruption on the part of the contstruction. The irony of the lack of oversight and this being a building intended to house audit administration is lost on no one. Bangkok, a city of 7.5 million people, but realistically 15 million truth be told, survived virtually unscathed. In other cities, in other countries, tens of thousands die, recall the school collapses in Türkiye a few years ago, or in Bangladesh, Rana Plaza that collapsed killing over a thousand and injuring countless many more, and there was no earthquake. Yes, enforcement needs to be improved, and standards upgraded, but the supposition that this building's collapse really owing to faulty construction (probably would have collapsed in time regardless) makes Thailand some kind of pariah state without any building standards just waiting for Armageddon, it the very height of click-bait absurdity.

.... and why must every topic, every policy discussion, be bifurcated into left <-> right politicization. Blaming gets nothing done, and advances no new ideas, as its only mud-slinging devoid of intelligent thought. This is why I loath social media as it thrives, read: metastasises, on anti-intellectualism and opinion rather than facts and citing issues and positive policy correction. I've already deactivated Facebook, and TikTok, Asia Now is unfortunate, perfunctory requisite for updates on visa issues, 90-day reports, TM30, etc.

That's exactly the reason Melania Trump should NOT have hosted this event. A woman who has done nothing for anyone and lacks even a shred of empathy for anyone, see: children separated from their soon to be deported parents she refused to touch, distracts from these worthy recipients who have suffered greatly.

After a night of heavy drinking and bar-hopping he [allegedly] lost his ATM card, and (the following morning) deeply hungover and not having had his breakfast he broke into a donation box for severely disabled children. That's his explanation. Its not an excuse. Its not a justification. He'll most likely have his visa revoked and be deported back to that far off barbarian land. Good riddance to him.

How exactly is that "lucky" ?

I'd put more trust in Carmella Soprano. Melania Trump married a rapist, pedophile criminal for the money, and lacks even a thread of credibility. Plagiarizing Michelle Obama's speaches is about as authentic as she can aspire to. Best she stick with building tennis courts on the White House grounds, her greatest achievement during her husband's first term of office.

I doubt she would agree with your assessment, which is, after all, of no importance to her or her 2 children. All the best to Meem and her boys in her prosperity and life trajectory, which will, secondarily provide hope, inspiration and confidence to those who have laboured, and suffered in poverty, missed or lacking education and being shunned by a society who view the poor as less worthy victims downtrodden by their own folly. That's significant.

.... as so with the right. There is no middle ground in the American politics anymore. Only endless culture wars over trivialities in echo chambers at either end of a political spectrum that's narrowed from right-wing to extreme right wing. Meanwhile, democracy notwithstanding, the Chinese are building infrastructure, spurring technologically development, dedestertification and green energy solutions. Regardless of the outcome of upcoming elections in the US, decades of self-destructive policies have bleed the middle class and depleted infrastructure all for a bloated military-industrial complex and the pockets of the billionaire oligarch 0.1%.

Isn't that style of hair called "pig-tails", I've not heard the expression double pony tail, or is there some distinction I'm not aware of?

As Tina Turner so aptly put it "What's love got to do with it?". Again, that's on you, no mater where you chose to call home.

I've lived alone in Bangkok for nearly 20 years now. I did live briefly in Khao Lak, 5-months, as I came to Thailand, on work, just after the Tsunami, but moved to Bangkok in January 2006. It's a wonderful city to live in, the arts, cinema, wonderful parks, I bicycle everyday, nearly everywhere. I could walk anywhere in Bangkok and feel safe anytime of the day or night, that's critical. My Thai is adequate, but minimal. BTS/MRT/AirportLink go everywhere now. In all these years, I've never felt homesick, no once. The two times that I did briefly return for a week in 2006 when my father died, and later a for a week to renew my then B-visa. The first time was unavoidable, the second, complete waste of time. If I never see that country again I wouldn't miss it. I see absolutely no issues about living alone, if that is your preference and you're secure in yourself. It's really more of a personal issue, no mater where in the world you choose to live.

When your standing on the right, everything appears left. As an aside, just so you know, laugh emoji reflect poorly on both the sender's knowledge and credibility. Just say'n.

Quite the opposite. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

I don't think that wearing such a shirt in the US would provoke any reaction whatsoever. Fascism has essentially been openly embraced by MAGA and President Musk.

With all due respect, why on earth would you even consider a DIY last will and testiment? Definitely consult a Thai lawyer for advice and have them guide you through and facilitate ever step. My will was start to finish in consultation with my Thai lawyer, there were many steps, including translation of my passport. When everything was finalised a copy was submitted to the registry office. It covers only assets in Tha, not those overseas in other countries. The total cost was very red, like 12-14k THB as I recall. That was a few years ago. But, regardless, leave this to the professionals, it's too important, and you, by definition, won't be around to correct or remedy any issues once the time comes.

Absolutely no way this is going to happen. Just another wild, unfounded rumor of misinformation. Anti-trust on the American side due to his half-witted ownership of Twitter/X, and against Chinese law prohibiting the transfer of ownership of the algorithm outside of China. I'm just daily appauled at how what was once news has deteriorated into random heresy without any basis in reality.

The denials and backpedaling from the Revenue Department will begin immediately, if they have not already done so.

I'm in my early 60s. Mother and father died around 20 years ago. As executor of my father's estate, i sold the house, everything in it and at the same time all of my own personal affects that I had from a flat I earlier had in California. I arrived in '05 with a couple of suitcases. Blissfully unencumbered. I've never understood that overt attachment to the importnace of holidays, as you've phrased it "X-mas day alone", as each and every day is special, whether living alone or with others. I more or less adopted a fatherless family in Southern Bangladesh years ago, and go there frequently. I supported the younger boy through college and university, BBA and MBA, the older brother, I've just bought a 3-bedroom flat for he, his wife and their 2 young boys. With that said, I've just returned from a 10-day New Years holiday with the group, 7 of us total, which was good, but sometimes a challenge for me, basically an introvert. Happy to be back home in Thailand and my solitude. Yes, connectivity keeps our minds active and engaged in life and the living, But, close relationships living together 24/7 aren't for everyone and carry their own downsides. Connectivity is more, its the guy at the local coffee shop where you get your morning cuppa, you don't know his name, he doesn't know yours, but its a routine, ... along with the many other more casual relationships we encounter in our daily lives. That's enough. In dues course, I'll die here in Thailand alone, and that's totally fine by me, and as is my wish.

Paid yellow shirt agitators with a lot of free time and nothing else positive to do

In Singapore, they'd DEFINITELY go to jail. No questions asked. It’s an incredibly stupid thing to be doing in 2025. "Bangkok Hilton"... set an example.

Just a recollection from 2019 thereabouts. I spent 15 seconds Googling to find the exact date and law promulgated, before I remembered that I don't care. Have at it