Purdey

I had my cataracts taken out several years ago at Rutnin Eye Hospital in Asoke Montri road in Bangkok. Since a child I was short sighted. My eyes became cloudy and Rutnin operated. It was pretty straightforward and didn't take long. They only did one eye first to ensure there are no complications. The second one two weeks later. For the first time, I was able to read and drive without glasses. Now my left eye is becoming cloudy so I will go back and see if they can operate again. A general practitioner told me 3 is the maximum number of operations. The last time it cost 50,000 baht per eye but I have company health insurance so not a problem.

Apparently, it isn't only spread by homosexuals. According to the CDC website, Monkeypox can spread from person-to-person through: direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids - respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex - touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids - pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta. Seems to be anyone can pass it on.

Such a pity. Parents should not have their children die before them.

Throughout the pandemic people ate and drank. Not sure what is different.

This says a lot. You aren’t the only one who doesn’t care about others. The reason I have a collage of antivaxxers who died of Covid is because there are always foolish people who will insist they know better than scientists.

They all died unfortunately. Every one of them said the vaccine is fake and the masks don't work. Go figure, Professor.

Too many fake virologists here accusing doctors of fearmongering. Many other people said the same thing.

You must be an American. Most Brits recognize sarcasm. Note: apologies if you are not American. A rule of thumb being Americans don't get sarcasm or irony.

Not sure why drugs that help old geezers get it up are illegal. The cops would be doing a public service letting women feel their husbands aren't totally useless.

Having been on government (as an advisor) and private committees 500 to 1,000 Baht has been acceptable as an attendance amount, but only when I actually attended. As a person who loves his country and has sacrificed his time to help raise the quality of government to where it is today, the PM should decline the fees and tell the committes his salary as PM and the terrific results attained by the People (tm) is sufficient reward in this life.

Maybe the irony of many comments falls on deaf ears. Saving people's lives versus cheap holidays in Spain. Not long ago it was saving lives versus alcohol binges. Pay pilots more versus "Sorry kids, we can't afford the high ticket prices." Clearly it will take time to get things running at the same prices as before. But calls to raise wages and keep prices down don't make sense. If you live in Thailand, why not explore it for a change?

Hard to feel much when he was so determined to go.

It is true that traveling provides anecdotes rather than deeper understanding, although hitchhiking in the USA in the late 70s was an eye opener. 18-20 year olds asking me at 21 to buy the beer that in the UK was our god-given right. Flying back with a bunch of Brit students and American families, the pilot caused a stir when he announced that rubber had been found on the runway after we took off so it might be a rough landing. I will never forget the Americans weeping and wailing and praying out loud while the Brits chanted, even louder, "We're all going to die, we're all going to die!" Good times.

I think they already do this.

I agree, saving cash if inflation rises eats interest. Saving money for retirement also means long term use of your spare cash to work for you through several asset types. But many people don't understand the concept of saving at all. Compound returns are greater the earlier you start investing and the longer you leave it. Some take early retirement though, which is great if you've saved more than just the typical pension. Savings rates haven't always been this dire, while inflation in the UK peaked in 1975 and declined after.

I think there are criminals who wish they could stop themselves but they can't control themselves. Offering a means of lowering desire is a way out. It isn't as final as execution. A criminal who longer desires to rape may be on the way to rehabilitation.

Savings count for a lot. Those who thought the UK pension would do and did not bother to save any extra are probably worse off. Now, inflation is in the high single digits but it has been higher. See https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/THA/thailand/inflation-rate-cpi Not to say today isn't bad, but it's not the worst.

No one knows how they died?

Deciding not to feed strays I guess is up to your view. Watching a starving dog in the street and thinking smugly, "At least I didn't encourage the problem" is well and good. I put out food for a vicious homeless cat that is always fighting, hissing and snapping. Over the months, it has started to mew and let me touch it. Gratitude is in the smallest of creatures. That woman is showing her pity and love for living creatures that didn't ask for their miserable lives.

Teenage pregnancy has declined in Thailand. Partially through awareness via people promoting condoms and partially because women now have some autonomy over their bodies. The stigma comes from religious people who will never suffer the shame pregnant teenagers feel or may have suffered shame as kids but now feel self-righteous.

This will continue to happen in Thailand. Too poor for the expensive US insurance system and too corrupt for governments to plan for a European style universal healthcare scheme. The much derided PM Thaksin Shinawatra introduced the 30 baht health scheme but as others mentioned, doctors want money to provide a decent service.

One BMA school I know grows its own veggies and has a pool for fish. These contribute to the balanced diet of school lunches. Also teaches kids how to grow food for themselves. Some NGOs are doing this in rural schools. It just makes sense not to rely on the government. It isn't just schools, one prison I visited was providing prisoners with vegetables only and the money for meat kind of got lost in the post.

It is about time that police officers (anyone above sergeant) had to declare their assets each year. Some will hide their assets well but catching unusually rich police colonels and generals every year may slow things down. My main concern is that too many will be caught and there won't be a police force left.

I once did a project for one of the largest private contractors for roads here. The CEO confided they never build roads, or resurface, to the standard written in the agreement as that would mean the roads never needed annual repair and the company would run out of projects. 'Nuff said.

Thanks. Got the usufruct the same time as buying the house at the Land Department. An usufruct is not a separation of land and house. I have the right to use the whole property. The Land Department officer was not happy “giving Thai land to a foreigner” and asked my wife if she wanted to limit it to 30 years. My wife said no, All life. An usufruct cannot be canceled as it is an official document issued by government and a contract between the owner and myself. (Edit) just want to add that anyone considering an usufruct should contact a lawyer for their peace of mind.