pelagicpete

I think time is of the essence. It plays a very important part in the core of my existence. On many occasions I have deeply considered the effect on my life if it were possible to alter time, either way, negatively or positively.

And I think I am not alone. People all around the world are troubled by the obtruding value of time itself, as it so frequently appears when one least expects it to. This seems to be a most regular occurrence that can be observed at or near 1100 pm on most days in the Western World.

The Cry goes up "TIME PLEASE" in hundreds of thousands of public houses and ones life instantly changes. A tinge of sadness creeps in, along with a steady reduction of fluid intake, and an immediate dispersal of like minded human beings to God knows where.

Time is not an unknown factor to many of us.

3 days ago, the 18th March, I got a pink bill. Never had a pink one before.

No idea if it is real or fake.

For the planes themselves, I would apply the same questions as a car.

which has the least after sales market of spare parts?

(should Toyota and Honda go into this market?)

and which has the best resale value?

Not sure if this is true or correct, but I think I did read a while back that Starmer promised to update expat pensions in all countries with every increase, if Labour got into power this time. Did anyone else have that understanding?

Low hanging wires also

This "misunderstanding" does raise an interesting question:

namely would the Chinese Police be enforcing Chinese laws or Thai laws?

Presuming this ever came to pass, which I doubt.

This is one of those rare ideas that seem odd, but turn out to be genius.

Tourists will love the idea, and elephants now are endangered because there is not enough work to sustain them. This therefore answers both problems.

There is more cruelty to humans, children and the old folk, than ever there was to elephants and animals in general.

It would be great to see the remaining elephants on patrol all over Pattaya and surrounding areas, this is very sustainable promotion of Thailand.

I have noticed that the Just Stop Oil movement is still up and running, annoying many people by blocking traffic and spoiling many sporting events.

I am confused as to where this comes from....

why stop oil? what is the science behind this idea?

And how exactly does one stop oil?

We see a mixture of white middle class humans who must have some education, glueing themselves to roads and spraying orange powder everywhere, but for what? Who is behind it all?

I am so confused by the illogicality and yes, insanity of it, I would like a rational explanation of what they think they are up to and hope to achieve.

Can you tell me?

NatWest is the problem now.

Animals procreate most when certain conditions are met.

One is economic security, ie enough income/long term jobs.

Another is family life/security.

Another is availability of food that is affordable.

Another is a home to live in.

These items and more can be created by society itself, assisted in man's case by a strong beneficial government, mindful of humanity and not corrupt.

One comment I have heard from locals is that they will not vote at the next election, for what is the point when the people they vote for get the most votes and are not allowed to win?

why bother to vote, for what?

1,310 members of the electorate is an insignificant sample.

If the number had been around 500,000 then it would be more significant.

This result should not be taken very seriously.

However, in a democratic election, the majority of the voting public called for MFP to offer a PM.

For how many of these days is the sale of alcohol prohibited?

One factor that is not mentioned very often is the 'time of day'.

The large global companies that have employees around the world often have an employment rule that bans the use of company vehicles between the hours of 6pm and 6am.

Statistically this is the time of maximum danger.

This may be a useful pointer for tourists and expats in Thailand.

Taxi services are a better bet for health and cost.

Alcohol is expensive, ganja is cheaper, alcohol causes accidents, ganja less so. I hope this is a factor in years to come.

Also, ganja retail sales now create tax revenue.

Ganja is now legal (sort of) and removes mafia and corruption from the financial and criminal equation.

Ganja sales help small retail businesses to survive and feed families now, unlike before.

I am not American by birth so I do not have the right to make a statement, but I can say that the UK banned private ownership of all guns over .22 calibre and with the exception of shotguns back in the '90's.

The availability and use of such guns is now entirely in the hands of criminals and youth gangs in inner cities.

The way forward to allow the sport to continue (for most it was a sport) and to prevent access to guns was never explored. 

The law was enacted suddenly in a storm of media protest and political fear.

I believe it is possible to restrict ownership of guns to responsible sports people if the will is there, politically.

Aha!!  The ICC has teeth!

I wonder what the deal was, obviously there was one, what did Erdogan get?

24 minutes ago, internationalism said:

So for revealing new military and foreign policy he is flying to the usa, and not presenting it to parliament first for discussion and critique?

How much he values the parliament with elected representatives in his own country to politicians and military generals in a foreign country?
As he was not elected to his post by popular vote, he is stretching his position. That lapdog position will be judged against Tories. 
 

australia has already nuclear capable b52 on its soil since the last year and it's judged by experts as a provocative move against china. 
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-31/china-tensions-taiwan-us-military-deploy-bombers-to-australia/101585380

 

now america wants to sell nuclear submarines. That will also be another provocation against china. 
 

Before b52 were located in australia, that country, as well as new zealand, were seen as safe nuclear refuge in case of armageddon. But now australia will become a target for nukes. Yes, that country is the whole continent, but targets are not only military, also industrial ones.
That haeven is now turning into hxll

This is obviously written by Communist supporters for China.

It suggests 'appeasement', "don't provoke China", and we know, after the last World War, how effective that is.

I still have scars from the bombed out housing estates after the last experience of 'appeasement' that was Chamberlain's "Peace in our time".

Sadly for us the only viable response to interstate bullying on both sides of the world is to stay strong and build an effective, forceful stepping up of regional defence.

That is exactly what is happening now on both sides of the world.

The reply to our response from the countries that are now aggressive is the same; namely 'you are provoking us', 'we are being attacked', 'we must defend ourselves', 'we want respect', etc etc.

There is always a percentage of people in the West who will buy into this rhetoric and quote it against our defence activities.

Just pray that our government's defensive strategic initiatives do not deviate as a result or you too and your children may carry the scars.

2 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

And long may it continue ! 

            Many problems can be made to disappear here, for the price of a good night out back home.    Money makes the world go round and corruption is in no way unique to Thailand or Asia. 

            Many westerners moving here  have difficulty accepting this concept. They think that corruption does not exist "back home"    It does.    However the "system" has ensured that this advantageous method of achieving ones objectives is out of reach of "normal" people, It operates at a much higher level,  Its difficult to make contact with the necessary people ,  (government ministers, police chiefs etc. etc ) and the amounts of money required are  way too high.

             Social engineering, and petty jealousy  have  ensured that those who don't have enough money to avail themselves of this practice are generally not in favour of it.  An example would be the scorn poured on people who pay money to jump hospital waiting lists by "going private"   or who choose to pay money to provide a better education for their kids.  The criticism, understandably,  always comes from those to poor to play the game, and who feel that they are missing out 

              But this is not  "back home"  and nobody needs to feel they are missing out,  thankfully corruption is much more accessible here and  its often quite reasonably priced , when compared to the alternative.  Many difficult situations can  be made less difficult if one is prepared to play the game and  be a little "generous " when required. 

               People  can huff and puff with righteous indignation all they  like but they will be doing it from  " the back of the queue"  or as they return home without their visa extension or whatever.    They should spend more time trying to  assimilate into this fascinating aspect of  Thai "culture"  but if , like price haggling at the market, they just can't bring themselves to do it, then they should  leave it to the missis (but i suggest setting a limit first) 

     

This is the best answer I have seen to explain how it works here and in Asia generally. Having been here for 24 years I can affirm that this is how it is and the advice is good.