CG1 Blue

This is purely opinion. To present it as fact would be arrogance, and I'm sure you're not arrogant.

Except for the ones who try to sell you tailored 'Armani' suits on the street

I expect that there are some older Thais in Thailand saying similar things about Pattaya (with just a few words changed) I don't think Pattaya is now full of Christian churches and farangs running around stabbing each other and dealing drugs.

You must have missed this bit: "He was "sorting out his affairs" in Thailand with a view to moving back in with his daughter."

Sounds like a nice bloke. Do us all a favour and convince him that North Korea is the place to be in Asia

On my first trip to LOS over 20 years ago I was warned that we'd face problems from Phuket airport if we hadn't pre-booked accommodation. Like an idiot I didn't listen, and sure enough we were forced to stop off at a tour office and book a hotel before the taxi would drive us on to Patong. Just weird! I don't know if they still pull that trick or not.

If you exit the airport and walk 50 yards towards the main road, on the right you'll see a 'private' taxi service. They'll flag you down. They charge me 350 baht to Chaweng but I've never gone with them to Lamai. I've used them for over 20 years, mainly because I can't be bothered with the bun fight in the terminal. *Caveat - I haven't been to Samui since Covid, so I don't know if their business survived

Out of interest, do you think if the 58 year old had money it would be morally better?

Do you think it's ok for most Arab countries to treat women badly in 2022, because it's their culture? A lot of people are happy to criticise actions of the UK 1-200 years ago, but defend the attitudes and actions of modern day abusers. I find that confusing.

Who exactly should it be returned to, and what are your reasons for choosing that person / government / organisation? Who owns it in your opinion, and why?

Thankfully most intelligent people don't still hold a grudge about bad things our ancestors may have done. At the time the British were the most successful colonialists. Other countries would have done the same had they been as successful. It was the way things were back then. But of course, if there's some financial gain to be had, some will start bleating about 'theft' etc. You won't hear them demanding that a worthless 6 inch high wooden statue of a horse be returned. But the world's biggest diamond? Ooo we must have that back! It's the principle of the thing you know - yeah right ????

Sounds like that's already happening...????

No, it doesn't bother me. I was responding to someone who suggested the girls left at the end of the night had not earned any money that night. Fact is, they probably have. And I don't mind a well used dartboard. They usually know more about how to treat your dart ????

But how do we know that those leftover ladies haven't already done a 'shift' and are back for number 2 or 3?

Yep. Apparently only King Charles and and Princess Anne were at the Queen's bedside when she passed away. And that's because they were both quite near to Balmoral when she deteriorated.

I've heard senior armed forces people explaining something I wasn't aware of. Basically that the armed forces are loyal to the monarch, not to the government. Firstly because the monarchy remains stable and apolitical whereas governments change. And secondly in case the government of the day 'turns bad' the monarch can step in with the backing of the armed forces and kick them out. That is apparently a critical part of our constitution and a reason why the monarch is important ????‍♂️ Wonder if any ex forces folk on here can confirm or correct that?

It's prolonging the return to normality. It's so nice travelling around UK, Spain etc. and seeing virtually no masks. The mask wearing in Thailand just makes it seem a bit depressing now.

You've disproved the theory that mass immigration has a positive impact on the economy. The increased tax take and economic activity is clearly not outweighing the overall cost - otherwise the UK economy wouldn't be suffering so much. Controlled immigration with a gradual population increase is good. What we've seen over the past 30 years is not so good.

You can't ignore immigration as being part of the reason our services are struggling in the UK. Some migration is necessary, but we're averaging around 300,000 net migration per year, that's a 3 million increase in the population every 10 years. And that doesn't include those migrants who are coming in under the radar. That would put a strain on any infrastructure.

I'm not against managed immigration, but I think the flaw in your argument is that rapid population growth over the past few decades has driven the need for more staff and resources in the NHS. Swings and roundabouts, right?

I think he sounds British. He starts off very calm, then at around 58 seconds in it sounds like he's saying "if you want me to touch you, I'll touch you now" and then "I'll *** you up" or something along those lines. Not the best temperament to have when going out in a party town. Taking his top off at the end for that macho look says a lot too.

I agree, they may fight in packs to get an unfair advantage, but I think they do have a fair bit of tolerance. You go to the major towns and cities in England after pub/club kicking out time and mass brawls can start at the drop of a hat (or a kebab). Often resulting in serious injury or worse.

Table reservations and a dress code at the Green Mango ???? I guess it's only for this special event (I hope!)

I wonder if Singaporeans are coming to smoke weed. A lot of Singaporeans I know have visited Amsterdam when in Europe for that reason. Rebelling against the strict rules in SG?

The latter. Have you not heard of sun tan Laotions?