RocketDog

Sure, especially the 'free' ones. One should never use a VPN headquartered in a country that can legally force disclosure of client info. Proton and expressvpn and all premium services understand this and are based outside such jurisdictions OR have a rotating IP address mechanism that uses the same address for hundreds of clients each day, making such records useless. If you want a real vpn then your going to pay about $100/yr for it. Them's the hard facts. Do your research before using one.

Unless that just started yesterday then I'm baffled. I've used both sites in the last few days and for the last few years. I do, of course, use a VPN; one would be crazy not to. 1337x always says my connection in unsecure and I should get their VPN, but that's just marketing. It's never been required and I have no idea what buying an IP address even means. You do that when you get an ISP and then immediately alter it using a VPN. You can have an IP address from a different country every hour if you choose to. If I'm wrong I'd surely like more info about this issue.

Uhhhhh.? So let's say one buys gold jewelry as a hedge against monetary collapse or gross swings. Let's say they bought locally, did so without any form of ID asked or given, which is very common and very important to remaining anonymous. Then let's say they decide to change it into local currency because cutting/shaving coins or bars is just silly to buy eggs. They may get more or less currency than they paid for it but still enough to buy their eggs at an international exchange rate for that currency VS gold. Why is that a mistake in your estimate? 'Seems' like good planning to me. I agree that owning gold for investment gains, especially paper gold, is unwise. But for some it's just planning for changes that are apparently inevitable. I call that prudent. To the OP: A huge advantage of living here is buying and selling gold without any identification or records. That is impossible in most countries, including USA. I love it! You pay the shop a margin when you buy or sell, so in that sense you will always take a loss when converting cash to gold to cash. Taking it to the same shop as you bought it means they might give you some preference but at least it's easier. Two things are for sure though: gold is not colored paper, and everybody everywhere recognizes the value, portability, and security of precious metals. It is an asset class not to be ignored.

Agreed. Engineering data sheets for all secondary (rechargeable) cells state a maximum number of charge cycles as reference. Temperature extremes decrease this values significantly. For the most part that can be used as a guide to actual life. The more you use it the faster, in calendar time, the sooner it fails. For most commodity batteries made in China (and most are) just divide that reference number by two.

Doubtful. But definitely a Class I Div 1 and Zone 0 location.

Everybody needs a hobby.

You are way too sane, reasonable, accommodating, civil, well-adjusted, and coherent to be posting on these forums. Either learn to be a total jerk or stop posting. You're making the rest of us look bad. Find a few good gripes, beat them to death, be rude and combative, and engage in senseless tit-for-tat endlessly with anybody that implies that you might be wrong about anything. Nice guys are not welcome here.

If he was going down why is the front of his shoe trapped. Was he standing backwards looking up?

Well, of course. Do you know how hard it is to move large military weapons and troops by road?

Exactly. Thailand lauds the new train for bringing more tourists from China. But that's hardly the only benefit to China. This was the entire point of the silk road ; drive easy access for product shipping into other countries as well as military equipment when needed. If train tracks could be built across the ocean the entire South China Sea would be covered with them.

Maybe a bit, but most will go to layers of middlemen. But for the record, if prices increase on virtually everything it's not a stretch to believe that affects the packaging companies too. Everybody but the middlemen have increases in operating cost.

Orwell would be gratified to be so prescient and horrified to see today's world. I read it again every ten years and can mark the inexorable march of authoritarian rule across the globe.

She has the right to have the car restored to it's original condition. I bet the pickup driver uses his brake more and phone less these days . Or not. (most likely)

And you loved every second regardless of your groaning protestations.

Well, good that she has the sense to push from the back of the chair. She's a keeper mate!

What does your neuropathy have to do with it?

I read a lot of Dickens in high school, and you're right. It's more understandable when you know he was paid by the word and wrote a lot of it in installments for some publisher. Every pence counts ya know. Makes me wonder if AN is paying GG by the word too.

Indeed. I fund my wise account and currently get over 4% interest while it sits there. Then I transfer some to BBL (no BBL fee) whenever the thb weakens, like now.

Frodo Baggins

Clean bathroom and working AC. Most else is optional unless I'm staying a long time.

Some netizens are easily mesmerized it seems. Maybe it's the parents that need the magic elixirs. ????

He had a good point IMO. Although parents everywhere are proud of their kids, some Thai people take it to a new level. I'm amused at how many of the ads on Thai TV revolve around marvelous elixirs that promise incredible physical and mental powers evolving if they are fed religiously to the children. Of course most are just colored sugar water or flavored milks. They tout any vitamins or minerals intrinsic to the drinks as proprietary additives. From the number of such ads I suspect these things sell well.

Renting has multiple pitfalls as well. Owning has multiple benefits. Visa issues are irrelevant to owning or renting long term. Many of us own homes here and are happy to have control of their dwelling and environment. Up to you. Your choices are often going to be different than others. Blanket statements are rarely helpful or accurate.

Habituation is categorically different from addiction. Stop drinking coffee and you experience the true addiction withdrawal symptoms.

Firecrackers are cheap and safe. After a few episodes the dogs will flee when you pull out the lighter. Additionally it will annoy the dog owner. You don't have to throw at the dog, just dop a few in your own driveway.