WalkingOrders

I have taken to wearing a quality 2.5 mask if outside. It works wonders. I walk about 2 miles a day to gym and back. It works. I breathe full while walking, and do not feel sick when I get home, which has raised my mood in this horrible situation. I no longer feel angry, not wanting to venture out. I noticed difference right away.

On 2/25/2020 at 9:06 PM, BoonToong said:

Sailboat 'breaking down' ??????

Could have been something in rigging broken? Lack of wind and engine failure? In any event I am sure it was not an imaginary issue.

On 2/24/2020 at 10:26 AM, emptypockets said:

My friend ran his child over in Australia. People who are handing out the blame to the parents probably have never had kids themselves. Things can and do happen. Another friends child drowned.

These people have enough to deal with without the holier than though anonymous posters handing out criticism.

One little known fact of these incidents is that the child usually gets crushed twice. People feel the first impact, panic and then drive forwards again.

You are absolutely correct. Small children move like ping-pong balls. You turn your head and they are gone. A parent does his or her best, sometimes even that is not enough.

This is a horribly sad story. I recall this happening in the USA, and would presume it has happened everywhere. Sad for this family.

2 hours ago, heybruce said:

You make one heck of a leap going from my respect for those who come to this country to work and "If a political party has come to believe that importing an illegal population for voting purpose is a good thing, they are lost to me."  No political party is doing that.

 

If you lived in California you must know that it was the Republican backed Proposition 187 that turned legal Hispanic voters decisively against the Republican party in 1994.  The Democrats didn't turn your state blue, the Republicans did.

 

I am opposing totalitarianism.  I'm opposing Trump and his war on constitutional checks and balances and established norms of transparency and decency.

I think it more likely that an untapped base of apathetic Hispanic, nonregistered persons, were registered to vote, by an energized Democrat Latino base, rather then by a shift of  registered Latinos from Republican to democrat. This puts a different twist on your point. I only read the abstract, but it would make sense. In most elections it seems to hinge on turnout Rather then jumping party, which most people do not do. See abstract here:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11109-017-9400-1

As for your other point. Trump is engaged in no war, and if you look at policy he is behaving as a paleoconservative nationalist leaning traditional non neoconservative President. Not in any way a threat to our Republic. The supermajority I mentioned earlier is what exists in California today.

As I earlier said, only a dramatic realignment right of Hispanic voters can stop such a future super majority taking place on the National level. Sadly, dramatic shifts of voters, party to party, abruptly, typically do not happen. That is if the basic point given in the abstract is believed. I don't feel like paying for entire article, but on its face seems sensical.

On the other hand Turning point USA is claiming they show 22% blacks will vote Republican in 2020. Again, a question comes up is this party jumping, or registration of the nonregistered voter? Or just bs? Time will tell.

I tend to believe that people disaffected with their own party, tend to stay home Rather then switch party. It happens, but turning out the vote seems to be what wins elections.

6 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Actually most Thais that look for luxury goods fly to Hong Kong to get them cheaper. Not sure why they ever thought westerns would be interested in it.

Got nothing to do with having a budget either. Those young affluent Thai driving high end cars often on leases + not having to pay rent as of old money houses by parents.

Central BKK etc. to me is a bit cliche as it seems to be mostly a group of ten thousands with a lot of money, spending most of their time in the area,
then you easily get the idea that everyone is doing well and spending money in restaurants, cafe's etc. 
That while in reality for most it is once a month at MK restaurant in a Central mall.

With respect the mall would be closed if Thai were not buying. I am 10 miles out of Central Bangkok, and you know I see a big mall in Ubon, too, and tons of new Trucks up there, and nice looking Thai homes, and some are doing quite well. Some of these litte fruit carts, and sumtam shops might make a fair bit considering....the rent.

42 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

Possibly but which group would you suggest contributes most to the Thai economy? - not saying that either make significant contributions overall.

I live right across the Street from a giant mall. Few foreigners are here. The mall sells tons of high-end goods. Watches, perfumes, electronics, household goods,  and no Westerners in sight. In my building young affluent Thai are driving BMW, and high end Japanese cars and trucks.

The answer is that Thai are contributing most. 

Yes tourism is a huge sector of Thai economy, but the owners, and managers, are primarily Thai. I notice that ordinary Thai believe that imported foreign professionals  employed, are more important then retired expats. Just my take. Could be wrong.

18 hours ago, donnacha said:

They are buying the house for themselves too. They live in it. They share their lives with the "sex worker" as a partner. It may not be a perfect situation but I can't help feeling that it is somewhat more dignified, respectful, and safer for the Thai woman than having to sleep with ten men per night. Of course, the elites have never cared about those Thais.
 

 

Only if you are part of the elite who own hotels.

The farangs that you Thais now so despise were pouring their life savings directly into the poorest areas of Thailand decades before the Russians, Indians, and Chinese were a viable market. They brought billions of dollars into Thailand at a time when that foreign currency was desperately needed to develop the country. It may not be nice to think about now, but their presence over more than half a century was a vital step towards the affluence you enjoy today.

Those "kee nok" expats were also your best ambassadors, endlessly evangelizing the Land of Smiles to their friends and families back home. Watching the military government throw away, in a fit of pique, Thailand's reputation as a friendly, relaxed, easygoing destination has been like watching someone shoot off his own toes one-by-one.

The idea that you could just replace that market, grown organically over so many decades, with one big market, the Chinese (or, when they began to lose interest, the Indian millionaires, or then the Bangladeshis etc etc) was insanity. It never had to be one or the other. I still don't understand why they didn't hang on to their established western market while also expanding into new markets. It was a trillion dollar mistake that has eliminated a genuine advantage that Thailand had over its smarter, hungrier competitors in the region.

Of course, neither you nor any Thai will ever admit that a mistake has been made. You will convince yourselves that the nasty farang have been taking advantage of wonderful Thailand, and embarrassing everyone by rudely complaining about corruption, or democracy, or virus statistics, or air pollution, or other impolite matters that reveal how lacking in Thainess we are. Good riddance to us, the Chinese will take far better care of the Thai people.

 

What's all this anger about? I don't feel like Thai hate me, or want me out. Sure a few may, but I don't judge this place by the few. 

Are Expats leaving? Or is this just coming from those that can't get the correct Visa to stay here long term?

Honestly, if I was not married to a Thai, and likely younger then my 61 years, I wouldn't even be trying to stay in one place

If I wanted to stay in Thailand long term, I would figure it out and make it happen. My Visa here is damn easy. I report online, no TM28  TM30 not my problem. Three Cheers for Thailand!!!

Having said that, when I had to Travel to Pattaya for immigration once... or even in Hua Hin....things felt very different, cabs wanting to run off the meter, high prices, touristy....in Chiang Mai a Song thaew is way more expensive then Bangkok...all tourist...kinda like Times Square NYC if you are Tourist.

But thats life....10 miles away...its a whole new world.

21 hours ago, metempsychotic said:

Again you you think its all about folks like you.

 

What about actual tourists, they may not spend all their time here but they certainly pass through.

 

And actual expats? Id say a very significant number of them are located here.

 

The majority of the professionally employed population certainly is here.

 

Do you believe retirees huddled in a ricefield with thaivisa on an old laptop make up the majority of western expats in the kingdom?

I am in Bangkok now and I wish I was out in a rice field... save save save.

I don't mind being a drop in the bucket. I do what I do, have a happy family life, I find life easy. I get along with Thai simply by sticking to my own business. No one gives me any problems. I don't know any Falangs either except a few I see if I decide to go kick a ball around.

22 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Perhaps most farangs live outside Bkk. It is after all a polluted, congested <deleted>.

In my area of Bangkok, last stop on MRT, I see maybe 2 westerners a day if I am out and about, and that is only if I am inside a mall, or catch them going in or out of my building. Teachers. No expat retirees I see living out here.

As someone living in Bangkok, with lovely Issan wife, and saving to buy land and build up there, I just want to say thanks for posting. You lifted my mood, and I wish you and yours well, and your farms too! Sounds like you have a great life!

10 minutes ago, Scot123 said:

This would worry the hell out of me if we still lived in Thailand. Immigration put a big target on every expats back with their 800k in a Thai bank stupidity/greed. 2 suitcases could well equal husband and wife. The scary thing is you will never know the truth if it is related to kidbap~torture~empty account and murder. This does happen in Thailand and for as little as 100k.... I hope I'm wrong. 

Oh I don't know man, in the USA, you can get murdered for the change in your pocket. 

24 minutes ago, stevenl said:

"you are supporting turning the USA into a socialist dystopia."

LOL, better make that communist dystopia for even more dramatic effect.

And a more comprhensive statement of my view of US immigration can be found here:

3 minutes ago, stevenl said:

"you are supporting turning the USA into a socialist dystopia."

LOL, better make that communist dystopia for even more dramatic effect.

Exactly, I stand corrected. Thankyou.

I wish Comrade Bernie luck getting through the primaries, and facing Donald Trump on the debate stage, and general election. Adelante camarada!

2 hours ago, heybruce said:

 

 

Wow! And I do mean Wow!

 

Maybe I'm from a similar background as you.  I have proper redneck cred.  I'm the descendant of a crippled Civil War vet who fled South Carolina because people wanted to kill him (different stories about why).  I have family stories of gamblers and moonshiners and smugglers...and these were the respectable stories.  I remember my grandmother, as fine a person as anyone could claim to be related to, quietly  whispering to me that she was part Irish.  In her time that was a shameful thing.

 

I have also met the Billy Carter definition of being a redneck (look it up).

 

I've also cropped the sandluggers in a tobacco field (not sure if the internet will help you with that one), wrestled large appliances onto trucks in the seventies with the help of a Castro refugee, and done really dirty jobs in a pulp wood mill (ever pushed a shovel in a lime kiln while the dust ate wholes in your skin?) with a mixed race, mostly black, work crew.

 

I judge people as individuals, not by skin colors and by place of origin. There is nothing ethnic about the American dream.

 

BTW; I respect those people who ignore borders in order to do hard stoop field labor under a hot sun in order to earn honest money.  I'd rather go back to the lime kiln than the tobacco fields.

 

 

 

 

My how virtuous you are.

Now let's cut through the BS shall we. 

I am not racist in any shape or form. Drop the accusation!

Immigrants and Illegal Immigrants, see a difference? No? Try again.

It is illegal to enter the United States without an invitation?

If you want to dissolve the US Border, a defining feature of the modern Nation state, and one required to be a Nation State, then you are my enemy plain and simple. I don't care if you if you shoot hogs in Alabama.

If you can't tell the difference between citizens, and non citizens, you have lost your way.

If a political party has come to believe that importing an illegal population for voting purpose is a good thing, they are lost to me.

One more time, in one generation you are turning red states blue.

The numbers are what they are, so relax country redneck boy, you are supporting turning the USA into a socialist dystopia. The numbers do not lie.

I have lived North South, East, West, and central in the USA, grew up in Los Angeles, speak Spanish, and have hopes that hispanics will turn to the Right, but with liberals controlling the media, our education system, and our bureaucracy, it will be difficult.

If it does not happen a move right, then in less then 15-20 years the permanent statistically undefeatable leftist regime comes to power led by some younger Bernie Sanders. Think PRI from Mexico, or Chavistas. Undefeatable by numbers.

If that happens all hell will break lose. Literally! Totalitarianism, will be rejected!

4 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

Food poisoning, falls down steps, but instantaneous electric water heaters concern me

 

It's the low hanging wires, and people getting electocuted standing in puddles that scare me most

5 minutes ago, Regyai said:

Kevlar?

Its not the shootings that will get you... it's mysteriously:

A. Found to have fallen from balcony

B. Washed up on shore.

C. Found stuffed in a suitcase

I always think... dealing drugs? Didn't pay a bargirl, or beat one?

Business deal gone bad?

I don't need Kevlar. I just stay as invisible as possible using my super Ninja powers.