Purdey

Looking at a map of China showing the close regional proximity of US military bases compared with a map of north America with no Chinese military bases anywhere near, I guess the Chinese need to be more afraid than the US. Also, Americans forget there are a bunch of politicians older than Biden (Grassley is 89). It's just that Fox needs to find fault with Biden or he will defeat the Republicans again.

Can't say I like noodles every day. Whatever the breadth of Chinese cuisine, most eat the same food. And spitting bones into the floor of restaurants makes me throw up. And the howls of the dogs beaten to death in their cages for the strong meat used to keep the cold out. To take Richard Dawkins' quote and alter it, isn't it strange that wherever you are born, that is where you find the best food.

Pretty sure they've always been nasty. I guess you can't civilized then.

Am currently in Hanoi and no obvious street beggars here. I did notice people who provide services, like boat operators, are very pushy about tips. However, there are many really thin Vietnamese pushing and pulling carts so i suppose Thailand is the land of plenty for some, in the same way Thais go abroad looking for work. But if the Vietnamese police are tough on beggars why not Thailand?

Thailand's military sometimes forgets that Burma used to invade Thailand "whenever they wanted" and destroyed the original capital of Ayutthaya. They are not soft cuddly teddy bears. The one consistent enemy that Thailand has ever had. Danger Will Robinson.

I have a bridge in London I am willing to sell cheap.

Get to know drunk Thai men and you will understand.

So absolutely no chance of sexual assault when stripping in public? Excellent. Where's the shaming in saying she is in danger?

The main issue is that eventually a guy or several will grab her and do the dirty and what can she say? There I was minding my own business and these chaps raped me? She is putting herself into a dangerous position (no, not reverse cowgirl).

Surely, Big Joke is allowed to look at the assets and ask, "So where did all these houses, cars and mia noi come from, eh?"

A real feelgood story.

Prayut should man up and admit it happened on his watch.

Best to wait and see. Sometimes, there really is a need to explain misinformation to the largely uneducated populace.

The Conservative party suffers fools too readily and this debacle may lead to the shrinking of the party in future elections. The only saving factor is that there's no other party fit to replace them. Labor might win the next election but it is hard to see them leading the UK for more than one term. Personally, I would like to see any party willing to save the NHS get success at the polls.

I am surprised he has to be physically present. I would have thought his lawyer, as his legal representative, could, er, represent him.

Surprised how many people think a lot about the bloody and ultimately illegal punishment deserved by the uncle without thinking about the utter pitiful life the child will now endure. Courts can order him to pay but he cannot earn while in jail. I cannot imagine the child's pain and suffering at his hands, but i know that unless he is able to financially support her, she will have to beg or sell herself.

The DNA test should be concluded before a final decision is made. If Noi is the father of the child, he must pay for its upbringing. Calls for an immediate death sentence do not take into account the girl and her child will be in abject poverty without parental support. A 12 year old cannot be expected to take care of a child.

Thanks, very interesting.

Surprised no one thinks owning the media while standing for election is dangerous. I know Pita had just 42,000 shares, but what if someone standing for election owned a media company? What sort of propaganda would people be receiving? Laws are for everyone. If any military types in government was caught owning media shares everyone would be baying for blood. It may be a moot point now, but I can imagine the hoohah if Thaksin was standing for parliament while owning iTV.

If you are lonely in Thailand one of the best ways to make friends is to learn the language. You can meet a different class of people. Learn from a book and practice on the staff in coffee shops, not always bar girls who just want money.

I expect many members are now awaiting AN to issue blackouts.

I tried to use a phallic object to give some girls a shower but it didn't work out.

Thai government schools are bad but not all teachers are bad. Visited a school outside Hua Hin recently where the teachers buy vegetables from their own pocket and help cook the food for the kids because there's no budget for a cook. Not surprised they can't wait to be transferred.

Looks like the masseur did, in fact, point.

Not a small number. It's going back to the good old days.