John Drake

Anyone following International Living's endorsement of Ecuador a few months ago would now find themselves in the middle of what appears to be incipient chaos and anarchy. Things can change quickly, when the undercurrents of unrest are papered over by cost of living tables, seaside views, exotic jungles, and trips to spectacular mountains.

But . . . but . . . Parker Posey.

Safety? Just followed a link to the Phuket subforum. The entire first page looks like Gunfight at the OK Corral.

Forget Prawit. I want Prayuth back. The good ole days of no income tax and stable requirements for visa extensions.

Those teachers are products of the university system, which is why the universities need to be the priority. Teacher training is a problem. So is overall curricula at universities, along with university hiring policies--especially of marginally qualified and essentially non-qualified foreigners.

If you're sending your old passport back in the application for a new one, then how do you go to the post office and use EMS? You need to show your passport, which is now inside the package, in order for the post office to accept your package.

How is she supposed to know this? Are there signs in Thai?

In other words, don't be caught standing beneath or anywhere around the Pink and Yellow Lines.

Absolutely must have the submarines here in Thailand. Otherwise, it's going to be difficult to explain the need for Chinese "technicians" and naval personnel permanently stationed in Thai ports and shipyards.

Not the same but similar to Harbin in the early part of the 20th century, when Russians took over the city and eventually forced a joint Soviet-Chinese administration. One of the few good things Japanese Manchukuo did was to kick out the Russians. Given the chance, they will colonize and take over wherever they go.

FYI, just received my SSA deposit at 4:25. Bangkok Bank.

I wish the wai would replace the handshake everywhere. I dislike being made to feel obligated and touch someone else's contaminated flesh.

FWIW, there have been times when SS direct deposited my payment on the 3rd that also was a Friday and there was a holiday on the next Monday. So I didn't get my deposit until the next Tuesday, which would have been the 7th.

Just called Bangkok Bank and after being put on hold, the person answering the phone said there "might" be a delay. I know my SS deposit was made to Bangkok Bank yesterday, because it shows as being transferred yesterday on the My Social Security website.

I actually agree with you. I get tired of seeing stories about the USA sourced from the BBC or The Guardian.

Are you Jackson Hinkle or Jake Shields?

Most under reported story. This is what a true genocide looks like. And hardly anyone noticed or objected.

This you, fellow traveler? https://chinamediaproject.org/the_ccp_dictionary/old-friends-of-the-chinese-people/

Just turn right at the tofu bridge.

Sure don't like the sound of this.

I was referring to ex-president Claudine Gay's plagiarism. I wasn't all that upset by her congressional testimony, which was pretty much routine CYA that blew up on her. BTW, the entire Claudine Gay story seems never to have appeared on Aseannow. Elon Musk's hq building rent made it, but not the world's top ranked university having a cheating scoundrel as its president.

Just a matter of time before Americans and Europeans need approval from the PRC embassy to get their extensions.

They'll waive those for the Chinese, too. 800,000 in the bank? Waive it. 90 Days report? Waive it. Requirement not to work? Waive it.

Maybe we still are, "filthy falangs," that is. This news about wanting to see more Americans and Canadians can't match what was just reported for the Chinese. Yep. Just come right on in. This is an open door policy. The number of triads, illegal workers, scammers, and outright criminals will skyrocket. All while Americans wait around for weeks on end to get visas.

Who knows? Airports in California appear to be safer than homes. Here's something I didn't even know was an issue. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/chilean-national-burglary-ring-targeting-upscale-neighborhood-back-on-the-prowl-san-diego-police/3177010/ They even have their own acronym, SATGs (South American Theft Groups). https://youngkim.house.gov/2023/06/23/young-kim-works-stop-chilean-gang-home-invasions-protect-public-safety-orange/ Living in airports just might become a thing, a safe spot amid an ocean of theft, robbery, violence, and disorder.