VBF

Top post! ???? In UK where most healthcare is free, I believe people should be denied treatment (or at least go to the back of the queue) where a hospital is struggling if they foolishly refuse to be vaccinated with no health reason. Sure you have a choice - choices have consequences!

I agree and worldwide, the distinction between dying OF Covid and dying WITH Covid has been blurred way too often. I've argued this point many times: for example in UK if one died within 28 days of being Covid positive, one was counted as dying OF Covid, whatever other diseases one may have had or however old one was.

You have my sympathy. Not knowing where you are, this may not be helpful, but can you not get a taxi, Uber or whatever rather than waiting for your friend? How do you get your shopping? Just thinking "outside the box" here Mind you, with a broken leg I guess you're forced to "socially distance" anyway, but that's hardly the point. May I wish you a speedy recovery.

I believe @smedly you took my words out of context making it look like I have doubts. Not so - I am entirely PRO vaccine as are you. I said "I'm sure some of the people here in UK with whom I've been in contact since May (when I got vax #2) aren't vaxxed - I am so why worry?" By which I meant I'm not concerned at mixing with possibly infected people, because I've been vaxxed; extrapolate that and my meaning is that the more people get vaxxed, the less we have to fear because if you are vaxxed you can possibly get Covid but it will be less severe than if you are not vaxxed. Does that clarify?

Apparently it doesn't do much for your spelling either! ????

Yes but AGAIN I'll point out that, in UK at least, these so-called "positive cases" are mainly asymptomatic, are not actually sick and therefore are certainly not in hospital or dying. As I've said for the last year, these "cases" should be referred to as "Covid-positive people" - the word "cases" should be reserved for the unfortunates who are truly sick.

Well you can be vaxxed and still spread it although apparently not as severely. However, if the people around our unvaxxed friend ARE vaxxed, let him get on with it. I'm sure some of the people here in UK with whom I've been in contact since May (when I got vax #2) aren't vaxxed - I am so why worry? THAT....IMO....is where life returns to normal as it increasingly is in UK

There's a new motoring organisation just started - it's only for Liverpudlians. It's called the "AA, calm down!" If they can't fix your car in an hour, they steal you another one!

Here is where I respectfully disagree with you, except for where you imply that some men like older women - there I agree. My last several Thai "girlfriends" have been 35 plus and still 30 years younger than me! You suggest that being single is undesirable: I disagree - I have no wish to have a permanent partner under my feet, I'm far too busy being a selfish **** so in my case "guys just wanna have fun". See my avatar..."Young once juvenile forever" and my reply to @jacko45k above - 'nuff said! ) As regards "PC", and "Woke" I'm with you 100% - they can all stick that where the sun don't shine. ( but just finished watching a Roy "Chubby" Brown VDO - about as non-PC as one can get. Search for him if you're interested or PM me and I'll send you a link to one of his concerts)

Oh it's definitely absolutely nothing like Thailand, obviously and none of what you mention is available, but there are "ways and means" that make having fun possible, all of which are well for this forum. Were you to PM me, I'm sure I could divulge some more details, but unless you're planning to visit, I doubt it'd be of much interest! Given a choice, I'd still be coming to Pattaya in December but it'd be the pre-Covid Pattaya I'd be looking for, and at present......... ????

Sadly, at present, we Brits cannot go to USA either. Despite being vaccinated, USA regards us as unclean too! I had planned to go to Austin (for the music) last year, then this. ????

Only problem with that is that Spain, Greece, Portugal have the same summer season as UK. Part of the attraction of Thailand is the weather in our winter (December -April) is just perfect in Thailand. It's that "snowbird" thing again ????

Only out of interest, not baiting you understand, but why can you not....Covid allowing? There are many Anglo-Thai couples in UK as I'm sure you know.

You are correct, BUT....... for me accommodation (UK) is paid for, except the taxes and routine maintenance. I cook and raw food is not that expensive, public transport is FREE now I'm a "crusty old pensioner" my dental plan is comparable but treatment is more expensive here but all my other health care is free, including prescriptions. Not arguing with you for the sake of it, but there are "swings and roundabouts" here....IMO.

But....... would it not be fair to ask if you're "punching above your weight" with (ahem) paid-for companions? If so, you can do so in UK......it just costs more! I don't know your age, but I've just become a pensioner and the money I'm not spending on travelling does get spent on "personal enjoyment"...which is as detailed as I'm going to get on this forum ???? except to say that I'm a believer in the adage "If it floats, flies or f***s, rent, don't buy"

Some things are for rental.....NOT purchase ????

As usual @spidermikespot on! ???? I'm not rich by any means , but I can afford to pick and choose where I spend some of my time. As I explained to you on another thread, I miss my annual "Snowbirding" 3 months in Thailand due to Covid but when (if?) travel recovers I shall NOT be tempted to spend longer than that in Thailand, a place I've been visiting since the mid-eighties, and where I HAD planned to retire. I still love it and am VERY sad to see how the "government" has ruined it and have SO much sympathy for the Thai people especially at present. That said, I agree with all your points and would add that Thailand no is longer the cheap destination it once was for those who are comfortable but not rich. For me, it's still just about VFM though for the 2/3 months we both mention. Even if I was rich, I would still spend about the same amount of time in Thailand but would also do a lot more globetrotting based out of UK.

One thing yet more tedious....people who criticise others for pointing out failures that need to be fixed!

Or if you prefer......

As one of those guys (and I assume others are in similar positions,) I come to Thailand so regularly (or did before Covid) that the country is actually part of my life. Used to do 6 weeks on 6 weeks off when I worked in the Middle East. Now, I truly miss my 3 months a year "snowbirding" and am genuinely interested in what goes on in Thailand. As for being out of reach - glance at my earlier post about having a Forum Identity.

Known as "Rent-a-crowd" - possibly many of them don't even know what the protest is about - just want a punch-up!

Damn right - we could do with that in UK....especially those who've sought and got refugee status, then criticise everything the country gives them! ????

I agree. I'm always aware, when posting, that I don't live in Thailand, but after more than 40 trips as a tourist, often a long-stay one, I like to think I know more than possibly the average 2-week package tourist. That and having several friends who do live in Thailand with whom I keep in touch regularly.

IMO, it's always a good plan to have a "forum identity" and supply no accurate personal details of oneself.

What, like Anutin and Prayut? ???? Sorry...I meant Laurel and Hardy......