EVENKEEL

My 5 week visit in USA is coming to an end. Traveled all over. It's pricey for sure.

Why weren't these same people angry at the unnecessary NGO programs previously? Does it really matter that Musk is arrogant ?

I fail to understand why shutting down unneeded NGOs is a bad thing. You don't have to like a boss to recognize he's doing good.

Diversity is wonderful. Waiting for our leftie contributors to explain all this away.

Not sure why you'd want to be saving money. I'm trying to blow mine. Don't cheat yourself, treat yourself.

My ship dropped Anchor in Goa maybe 10 yrs ago. Spent a day in Goa at the beach, hoards of beggar kids galore, it was dirty. Maybe it's changed? I would never go back for a visit.

Why is it westerners are so adamant about trying to turn Thailand into the country they left behind for retirement here. I've spent alot of time in Isaan myself and came to the conclusion that my retirement years wouldn't be spent there. But, I'm against changing the Isaan way of life. Leave em be. It pretty neat to see how they survive. I had the financial resources to leave behind the place I built in Isaan and move the family to a place that offered a better education for the kid and a wider range of activities for myself. It's good for the kid to be around richie rich kids here but still be intune with the Isaan way.

You're welcome.

I think perhaps there's some jealousy afoot here. I'd wager there's some 75 plus guys here who try to live healthy and still have problems. Then they see Trump doing as he pleases and still healthy.

At the main gate you leave your DL, then later further down the road you stop and pay.

I'm not big on rules but no phones while we eat is one rule I enforce. It is convenient for my kid to have a phone at school. School pick up time changes daily, maybe a forgotten school book and so on.

Sai Kaew Beach is south of Pattaya. 100 baht for foreigners. Food, shade and clear water.

What happened to Britain? Such a shame.

Brits are certainly in the news here alot. Not meant as a bashing comment but dang you guys are outdoing yourselves.

Sounds boring

Bob's your uncle.

GG brings up a good point. I think many here try to validate their lives by making it sound like it's filled with activities. Some of us here have decided to start a second family which keeps me relatively busy. I can completely see how living single in a condo in Pattaya could lead to excessive drinking. I occasionally take the big bike on a ride to Pattaya for a few beers on Soi Bukhao, sit there at a beer bar watching the other foreigners scurrying about and think to myself how lucky I am to not have that kind of life. All the time wondering why I didn't just pack my ice chest and go to my local beach.

Going to a nicely equipped gym with AC, lovely ladies all around, with steam room and sauna, a big pool with lounge chairs can't compete with your idea of adequate.

Bummer to be you.

It's the same cost whether you're an expat or a Thai. If you choose to buy western products, that's on you. You don't have to buy steak, wine and cheese to live here.

Been buying mine at a 20 baht store for a good while. Probably better for eyes to have a prescribed pair.

How much for everything?

Sounds like solid advice.

Any first hand experience of having eyes tested and reading glasses ordered in Pattaya? Is there a difference in quality and cost having it done in pattaya vs. in the USA. And, any recommendations of a good place in Pattaya or Rayong area for an optometrist.

My dog drinks bottled water same as us. The market next door to us has the 20 L of water delivered, costs 20 baht. Only used for boiling foods, we don't drink it. Coffee made only with bottled water.