Lacessit

IMO the CPU or cooling fans are next.

So you reject mouthwash because you believe it causes cancer, and happily imbibe whatever tipple you are partial to? Tipple which contains ethanol, listed as a Class 1 carcinogen by the WHO back in 1989. It's like a rabid anti-vaxxer I know, who is horrified at the thought of getting 0.5 ml of Moderna or Pfizer in their arm once a year, and drinks like a fish every day. Really quite funny.

I replied to Dolf because I was feeling masochistic. The highway was closed for a planned burn, could not get down to my favorite Indian restaurant. Lugged 80 chunks of firewood into my son's shed, another 80 to go this afternoon. Counting the days until I get back to Thailand.

I guess that's a burden I'll have to bear, as I don't suffer fools gladly.

IMO I have reached the stage where a good dump is more enjoyable, and does not take as much time.

I have friends who are religious, I don't inflict my views on them as long as they don't try to proselytize me. The problem I have with "God's love" is it seems to have gone walkabout, when it comes to those who were sexually abused as children, by the very people who were entrusted with their spiritual care. The eleventh century was when celibacy was mandated for all priests in the Roman Catholic Church. On the surface, it was intended to increase the purity and detachment of the clergy. It also protected the church from inheritance claims. Any psychologist will tell you when natural human instincts are suppressed, it is a breeding ground for various perversions. This is not a case of rogue priests. It's a statistical inevitability. And the church continues the tradition of celibacy. As Pascal said, " Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." As witness a grifting ex-President, flogging $59.99 bibles to pay his legal bills. Him as a messenger of prayer and love? Bring me a bucket, please.

DILLIGAS Just for you, "Do I Look Like I Give A S..."

IMO the most likely explanation is texting on his mobile. With the dark windows, no-one can see them doing it. Illegal even in Thailand, but then TIT.

I agree, and have a friend in Chiang Mai in that position. I am not getting my knickers in a twist until there is evidence of: 1/ Banks deducting tax on international transfers. or 2/ Immigration refusing visa extension applications that do not have a tax number.

And potentially I find myself faced with a bodybuilder in a roid rage, or someone out of their skull on crystal meth. You've really outdone yourself with an idiotic post this time.

What do you mean by yield to the left? Are you confusing American roads with Thai roads?

I usually turn on my flashers when someone tailgates, which only happens on single lane carriages. On dual lanes, I am on the left. I don't care if everyone passes me, as long as they kill themselves somewhere else. I've only had two fines in 10 years, both from missing a speed limit sign. I console myself with the thought the fines are inexpensive compared to Western countries.

The USA has a DTA with Thailand. Whatever happens, you cannot be taxed in two jurisdictions, only one. If you stay in Thailand for more than 180 days, you are deemed a Thai tax resident. In that case, you would stop paying tax in the USA.

I am not so sure we are the most intelligent species on Earth, scientists are still working on understanding dolphins. They probably wipe the floor with us as communicators. It would be absolute arrogance to assume we are the sole and most evolved intelligence in the universe. Anyone who has been in outback New South Wales at night, no cloud and little moonlight, gets to know how insignificant we really are.

As Mike has said, either the banks will start demanding TIN's from foreigners to operate a Thai account, and/or Immigration will want a TIN before granting a visa extension. If either actually happens to someone on this forum, it's a fairly safe bet they will be posting about it.

There is nothing to stop any pensioner who has provable savings prior to January 1, 2024 transferring said savings progressively into Thailand tax-free, then allowing the pension payments to accumulate in an Australian bank account. At least, that's the way I understand the laws. Money cannot be taxed here, until it surfaces in a Thai bank account.

It's still 150 baht for an hour's massage in Chiang Rai, if one knows where to look. I usually pay 200. Not interested in hoes, too old.

IIRC for many years Christianity forbade things such as divorce and abortion. Some sections still do. Interestingly, Islam does not forbid either. Think of how many lives have been made miserable at the behest of man-made strictures in the name of religion. You really think your God wants that? No nonsense about higher purpose, please. There is no higher purpose in a woman having a back-street abortion because she cannot access decent health facilities legally. Scientists work from facts and evidence. They test hypotheses against said evidence. Claiming God created the universe has no facts or evidence to support it, only belief. For all we know, the universe could have been created by a pure mentality who has no interest in us, or went somewhere else. BTW, is your Bible the latest version endorsed by Trump, and how do Christians reconcile his history with their faith? To me, it's Orwell's doublethink writ large.

I don't dispute positive thinking can lead to positive outcomes. Negative thinking can destroy people. I certainly have my personal routines and disciplines; however, I did not need a religion or prayer to implement them. Self-motivation. Gary Player is one of the great golf professionals. He said " The more I practice, the luckier I get". IIRC he is quite religious, but I doubt he ever won a tournament with prayer.

IIRC CharlieH handled it.

I was stalked for a while by a person who left sad emojis on all my posts. He/she/it gave up some time ago when I ignored them. Memo OP: You should not be surprised by copping some flak if you are all over the shop, e.g. AA meetings yesterday, on the sauce today. Or, leaving, staying. I've also had two death threats, this was one I preserved, sent to me by PM:

Lazada.

A sperm fertilized an egg. No-one knows if your parents both enjoyed the experience of creating you.

Thai gold is lower purity than 99.5% bullion. While you can sell your gold, it will be at a loss. Shops will only give you the same price as Thai gold, banks will want commissions. Better to sell bullion in your home country.