John Drake

Because that's where the money is!

I think that is the point of any crackdown that might come. Since Chuwit exposed the extensiveness of Chinese triads operating in Bangkok and elsewhere, it's clear that a lot of immigration falsifying of documents is going on. I don't want triads or Russian gangsters here. Not only will they make things more dangerous in terms of violence and financial fraud, they'll destroy the price structure, especially for Thai people. I don't really think that the small fry will be caught up in this. But they might. The problem of a growing foreign criminal class, however, is a greater threat that needs some sort of resolution that gets them out of here.

They probably were good looking a year ago.

Stopped for lunch.

And this reminds me, whatever happened: 1) To the taxi driver who killed an American with a samurai sword over a fare dispute? 2) The Western tourist who was tracked down and arrested and made to make an apology for a critical post about a Thai resort? Will be interesting to see what happens in any altercation between a Westerner and a sacred Chinese tourist, won't it?

The price for durian is already sky high thanks. Now, you might not be able to get them at all as all the produce is directed towards China.

And watch the triads' cash filled suitcases walk right on in.

And there are many ways in which to help achieve this goal. According to Khaosod, starting today, and coinciding with the start of Chinese group tours, Immigration will no longer use baggage checks, requiring tourists to open their luggage. Just makes me wonder how many suitcases stuffed with cash from China on its way to triads in Bangkok will start going through today, too.

Saw this topic on the AN sidebar. Thought it was about Thailand. But it's the UK. Hmmm. Not much difference, apparently.

So, just like July, August, and September back where I came from. The 43 degree high does seem a bit on the high side for Thailand. Feel sorry for the people not used to this and facing it for the first time. Doesn't take much to overwork and get heat stroke.

Sounds like you have a vision of American travelers from the 1960s. You know what else was typical of the 1950s and 1960s? Places like The British Club Bangkok. And The British Club Bangkok, a clear vestige of colonial mindset in Asia, still exists today, mainly limiting itself to British, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian citizens. Whatever the faults of Americans, they don't need a private club based on nationality to take refuge in because they can't deal with the reality of Thailand.

Then why did China use a balloon?

Says who?

Then why did Biden have it shot down?

Where? When? That article isn't specific. I have heard that there were incursions near Hawaii and Guam. But in the past a spy balloon just taking its time and slowly passing over the US mainland and nobody bothered to mention it?

I'm starting to wonder if SSI made such a mess of it that they are just going ahead and maintaining eligibility automatically for another year. And maybe try again next year. It's clear to me that the problem is at the US end of things, not Thailand. ThaiPost has been pretty reliable, especially since I took out a PO Box.

I do think the US is a lead indicator of what is to come for many other countries. Whatever Thailand's problem, and you're right, fat kids are becoming a problem here, too, I at least see them out and about. On bikes mostly, but some walking, when they aren't on scooters.

Looks like Canada may have one, too. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-chinese-spy-balloon-spotted-b2274974.html

Almost 20 hours into this topic, and I'm the first person to comment. That probably tells you all you need to know about the interest in making NH president.

Interesting statistics on obesity here https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity Blacks lead in obesity, followed by Hispanics, Whites, and Asians. But the first three groups are just a percentage or two apart, except for the extreme high among black females. For children (2 to 19 years old), the gaps seem more severe, with hispanics, then blacks, whites and Asians. For some reason, they separated Mexican-Americans out of "Hispanics" and MexAm set apart have the largest amount of obesity by far. Sure, part of the reason is that trash foods are easier to fix and cheaper to buy. Couch potatoism is another factor. But so is the entire car dependent lifestyle. Stores and shopping centers, along with schools, aren't within walking or biking distances. The entire country has become addicted to the automobile. You can blame it on suburbia, but in fact people first moved to the suburbs because there was more room to live, play, and relax. From the 50s through the 70s, exercise in the suburbs, especially for children, wasn't a problem. Today, it's a fat farm.

Taiwan has an even deeper "historical relationship." So why isn't Taiwan groveling and submissive?

Colorful and exotic.

Wasn't it right before Covid that so many people on this forum were complaining about AIRBNB condos that were really nothing more than fronts for cheap Chinese hotels? With a constant stream of visitors in some buildings overwhelming the condo facilities?

Chinese triads, Russian gangsters, police extortion, and the third worst air pollution level in the world. Yes, it's high season in Bangkok and Thailand. Come one, come all!

One AQI reading a few streets over from me hit 218 today.