John Drake

Hasn't he aligned with China and Russia like Castro?

So you're cozy with an anti-American zealot who is allying himself with the Chinese dictator?

Now we see the real Lula. Moving to displace the US dollar internationally, teaming up with China to create a new intrnational governing order, siding with China on Taiwan, and playing the pro Russian neutrality card in the Ukraine. A new Castro. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Xi-meets-Brazil-s-Lula-amid-calls-to-shake-up-Western-led-order https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-xi-jinping-brazils-lula-take-united-stance-against-u-s-e8e55c1c https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/14/world/asia/brazil-china-russia-ukraine.html

They're not really promising anything. They're just saying "there must be a plan . . ." Whatever that is.

The Nasa/Firms site shows everything from India to every corner of Southeast Asia ablaze. Myanmar, Laos, and northern Thailand are solid red. Why would anybody in their right mind come here to vacation in poison air?

I'll take a look at the Makro Salaya. I've never been there and suppose it's unlikely to carry them. But it's close.

2 kilo!!! The way I go through jalapenos that would be great! Used to buy them by the 2 gallon jar back in the US. Will check on Makro then. Thanks.

My Foodland, way out on Phutthamonthon Sai 4, is doing just fine. Still first rate deli and all the imported goods I want--except no jalapenos. BTW, I am the only foreigner there. Been going there since it opened in 2012 and during all that time, I can remember seeing just one or two others. Maybe they've shifted their marketing to the Thai middle class and your old store just didn't bring in too many???

Day 2 and the air quality is unhealthy all across Bangkok. Who is the money being generated for? Physicians and hospitals? Crematoria? What's the body count going to be?

The new Thonburi Market on Borom has a good selection of durian dealers as you walk in the first building to the left. Better to buy there than buy the durians themselves and then open them. At least you can see what you're getting. But it does seem to me that quality durians are being emphasized for export. I did see an article about Chinese buying Vietnamese durians because they were cheaper. And that should eventually put pressure on prices here, along with the news of the first crop of domestic Chinese produced durian from Hainan.

I would prefer to see the US move its investments and manufacturing to the Philippines. The rest of the region should simply be written off as a Chinese satrapies. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and the hell hole of Myanmar are all part of the China camp. And Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are just about there. I think Apple coming here is simply jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

I'm going to hope this all gets settled by the time I need to renew my passport in 2029. But you never know. Absolutely not one thing has been made easier in dealing with the embassy since I got here 13 years ago.

Seems they do have time to make Songkran videos.

At least he's not another bald headed old guy from the UK or Australia.

Not even a mention of what started the wildfire???

Yea, don't understand the threats of fines and jail time. Just confiscate the fruit.

Exactly. Which is why acclimatization is so important. We're going to have days/hours without electricity. Just wait. It's been dry and hot. The first time there is rain, a lot of transformers will blow. And there you'll be for the next 4 to 6 hours, probably in the afternoon.

Depends on the humidity. And don't underestimate night time temperature. It is important to be able and cool off at night. When you're in Bangkok and the low is 29 or 30 with 87 percent humidity, that doesn't allow recovery for the next day.

Which is why it is important to acclimate as much as possible. I go without a/c until around 10 pm. But I can't survive without fans during the afternoon and early evening.

An option not open to men marrying Thai women?

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

Experience the thought and wisdom of Tyson Fury.

Just got back from stocking up on things in preparation for holing up for Songkran. Everything I buy was up, up, up. Yes, eggs. Don't drink beer, but Coke Zero up marginally from last week. Also chicken again higher, bread higher, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, fresh garlic, all higher than two weeks ago. This is all Thai produce. No imports, except maybe the tomatoes, which might come from Malaysia.

I didn't get my reminder email until two days before my 90 day was due on 10 April. By the, of course, I had already gone online and applied for a new one on 25 March. Received approval 3 days later.

I like Tex-Mex. And the imported ingredients for it have skyrocketed. Herb's Salsa, from 156 baht to 221 baht. CC's tortilla chips, from 99 baht to 169 baht. Some, like Mission and Old El Paso, have only raised prices about 20 baht per item, but they have re-sized their products into smaller units. Fortunately, there is at least a local alternative for fresh corn and flour tortillas with the Danitas brand, although their chips are terrible. Best Chips in Thailand are El Sabor's Big Nacho, which has only increased about 10 baht.