John Drake

Wonder if he will appear on Channel 5?

Does the positioning of the cars against the background in the photo indicate an endorsement? If I were a Japanese auto maker, I think I would just pack up and move manufacturing to Vietnam.

Why doesn't the army and the Thai elite who favor Russia, Iran, and China so much send their children to be educated in those countries? Why don't they buy soccer teams in those countries? Why not buy real estate there, instead of the West? Why don't they fly to those three countries when they want a Covid vaccine or other medical procedure?

News from the Moscow-Tehran-Beijing Axis only from now on.

And my wife's family will be responsible for at least 8 or 9 of them.

Well, they are now.

Read it and weep. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/13/american-english-language-study

One of the things Bangkok has out my way is a wide scooterpath. (I never see bicycles on them.) But they are inside and below the sidewalks, which run between the road and the scooterpath. No vendors put anything on them. They are kept spotless.

Crossing a sidewalk in Thailand is often more dangerous than crossing a road. Almost every near miss I have had has come on a sidewalk. Twice at the same place, I've come down a sapanloy and turned to my right on the sidewalk and come within inches of being mowed over by a scooter. The other time was when I walked near a corner on a sidewalk and was again almost blindsided by a scooter going high speed. Just goes to show you've got to be alert to survive here. Just like the lady physician killed in the crosswalk by the speed demon motocycle because she let down her guard for the last step or two.

That brings up an interesting question: what is the ratio for sidewalks/roads and highways in US cities and suburbs? Wonder how that compares elsewhere in the world.

This is a point I have made before on this forum, when certain English get upset about language. The fact is that no country, people, or place owns a language. All languages are mutable and their variations and evolution contain their own logic. I find it funny that the same people who frequently deride Indian speakers of English and their presence in Thai schools are now quickly adding Indian English speakers to their tally in an attempt to bolster their ownership of English.

So you speak like the characters in Beowulf?

True. Because 330 million Americans do not care what 65 million British think or say.

What this means is that now almost all of Thai foreign news reports will come from Russian media or Chinese media. Remember! Thailand says it wants to be neutral and everybody's friend!

In retrospect, a Golden Era.

And democratic meritocracy remains elusive as George P. Bush runs for attorney general of Texas.

Make it an outright grant.

Don't worry Russians, Thailand is joining your side.

Looked like a missile more than a plane.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2022/03/21/boeing-737-crash-china/9453677002/

Mall cops

Want a cookie?

Chicken fried steak and best thin crust pizzas are still available in Bangkok at Madrid.

My most wished for imports to Thailand: Schlotzky's, Taco Bueno, Whataburger, Arby's.

So this is TAT partnering with a Spanish company that sends out "alerts" to travel agents. Why include the USA in the title. Sounds like some sort of generalized subscription to me.