John Drake

Looks like the heat wave has begun to break in the western Bangkok suburbs. Still 29 at almost 10am, light rain, breeze, cloudy. Feels good.

Hyperbole and hysteria.

Glanced at the headline and read it wrong. Thought it said "Thai Cop," instead of "Thai Crops."

I miss Prayuth.

Especially if one of the side benefits is post-concussive syndrome.

This guy has got the solution to the heat. Tax every individual air conditioner unit. https://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1787021861630681580

Some of them are admitting to crimes that have nothing to do with general opinions about Thailand. If someone makes a youtube video about their building and operating a bar while restricted from doing so on a tourist visa, then they are going to get arrested. The same if someone brags about bribing authorities and the police about owning land and property. Same if someone goes on video and talks about coercing sexual favors from a young boy. If someone does these things, they are going to get in trouble.

It's not the daytime highs that have been so much a problem as the nightly lows, which are sticking around 30 and 31 in the western edge of Bangkok. Evening has been utterly miserable, especially as the roof tiles absorb direct sun and start radiating heat at night, too. Just want to see a few clouds and afternoon showers to cool of the roof.

I see the food blogger didn't bother to mention the multiple violations of tourist visa restrictions, work permits, and other even more serious matters.

Where did it go? Was here this morning, and now it is gone. Not on the left or right.

It's been so long since I shipped a load of books like this that I don't know if the service is still available. But there used to be book bags you could ship books. They were like canvas military duffle bags. Prices were low but it might take 3 months to receive the shipment. I used to ship them from Germany to the US. But this was a long time ago.

RFKjr polls quite well, especially with so little campaigning so far. It appears the Biden admin and its lackeys are the ones in a panic about him. They're using lawfare to try and keep him off ballots. And instead of discussing his policies and platform, you're likely to get a laughing emoji on AN. If people looked and read and listened to him, they would see a clear preference. I just don't see how people can justify voting for one of the two octogenarian nitwits.

People will vote for Trump, because Biden's policies on the border, the economy (inflation), and foreign affairs are the worst in fifty years. Trump is a horror, too. But people perceive him as the only option to a brain-dead Biden. There is an option, however, and that is RFKjr. People need to look at him. If you can't stand the two old puddin' brains, Biden and Trump, RFKjr is an easy choice.

The single biggest factor is faculty publishing in high impact journal. That means a Q1 journal where the article gets a lot of cites. Most of these journals are published in English, and outside of medical and some science journals, Thais aren't going to be able to publish very much. As is, most of their publications come from medical faculty.

Prayuth was better.

I started buying this week, gulp! Been buying a couple of ETFs. Everytime Bitcoin drops $1000, I hit the buy button for a thousand shares.

There are topics in Thailand people are much freer to say and write about than back in the US, where they might generate doxxing, loss of employment, lawsuits. OTOH there certainly is one topic you cannot discuss in Thailand and, as the subject of this topic might find out soon, there are defamation laws that obviously limit your public statements.

I'm guessing that's a new term, "passport bros." I've only begun to notice it recently. And from what I've seen of their description, they come to places like Thailand to ferret out obedient wives. I wonder if they stay here long enough to figure out the landscape. Returning home, they're in for some real surprises. Still it seems predatory in intent. Personally, I would only ask for a reduction in intensity of vloggers and would be youtubers like the guy in this topic who I'll bet wishes he had never had the urge to take all those video selfies.

Here's the bottom line: I'm comfortable here. I don't need a car. If I need to see a doctor, and I have an inner ear problem that every now and then requires quick treatment, then I can go see my doctor the next day and probably only need to wait in line for 30 or 45 minutes--unlike the US, which requires an appointment three weeks in advance or being told to go spend $10,000 at an emergency room. I see people post on AN who have all sorts of problems or I see news stories about people getting beaten up, robbed, or cheated for one thing or another--but I never go to tourist areas or hangouts for dubious activities. I've never had anything other than a tricky taxi driver take me for an overlong trip. Immigration is laborious one day per year, but I've got the time for it. My life here is sedate and non-stressful. It's how I want it.

I would go back to the US if I could live in Hawaii, with a lot of money, and private helicopter to avoid the crowded roads. Otherwise, I would opt for Central or South America before the mainland US. And I most definitely prefer Thailand over all but the Hawaii option. I really don't want to face surly American doctors, lawyers, or other "professionals." Of course, I haven't been back in 13 years, so it's probably changed. But I'll bet it's for the worse.

And to add, it's not that Thai universities are not making large investments in securing better rankings. They are. The comparative problem for them is that other universities are doing the same. And additional universities are entering the "competition." That is why their rankings have remained relatively static. China especially competes heavily in the chase for rankings. And Thailand will never be able to match them.

Great news!

Now, how about a Dark Mode!!!???

I'll do what is necessary to avoid jail, penalty, and/or deportation, because I want to stay here.

Here is a good source that gives university rankings overall, regionally, and by country. And note that in the top left part of the menu, you can choose alternative ranking systems. https://www.universityrankings.ch/results?ranking=QS&region=Asia&year=2024&q=Thailand