Seagull Sam

Convenient that all 10 bombs were found and defused. Were the not-yet-criminal perpetrators all apprehended? Either an exceptionally inept operation on behalf of the insurgents or an attempt on behalf of the military to create the fear of the enemy within. All useful ammunition for the next coup. (Pun intended).

Or destroy cannabis sales altogether and immediately. Not my cup of tea but the youngsters seem to love it and they're back in droves. Never mind, Vietnam is a great spot I hear and Cambodia is very cheap. Another example of foot shooting by the manignificently inept Thai government. They have obviously been taking lessons from Starmer and his cronies.

Fantastic, just as the youngsters are turning up to spend their hard currency on weed the business is brought to an upbrupt halt. Thousands of shops and untold acres of unsold crops out of business at a stroke. Another shot in the foot for the Thais and another good reason to take your holidays elsewhere. And no, I don't much like the smell either.

It's not difficult to grasp. In a prime ministerial system you vote for a party. The party chooses it's leader and the cabinet is chosen from parliamentarians to propose laws which are put to parliament. No majority effectively means no government as the parliament can likely get a no confidence vote. In a Presedential system you vote for a person who chooses his own people outside parliament to put forward laws to parliament (or rule by decree on the margins of constitutionality in the current US situation). A president who can't get laws approved can't be voted out of office by the parliament. He is the head of state for the allotted length of time. A military government rules with no democratic principles at all. Please pay attention at the back of the class.

The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy. Whatever your views in a Prime Ministerial system the vote is essentially for a party. A cabinet then makes policy based on whatever party or parties can command a majority. A Presedential system is an altogether different concept. It's not particularly difficult to grasp.

What an utterly ridiculous waste of police time. Did they also check the jars on the counter to make sure they conformed to the legal limit? Will this exercise be repeated across the many thousands of shops (sorry medical dispensaries) in the country? Kratom is already legal isn't it? How the f**k did rohypnol get mixed up in this daft statement? I've never heard it mentioned it in connection with Thailand before. Semi-comotose women are available for less than the cost of this noxious substance.

6ft is quite tall enough, how tall does she want to grow? Daft story. Does the UK still have beauty pageants? I thought they had long since ceased since the advent of feminism.

Good riddance to another small prop to the misery of Zionism.

And you the facts to back up your views? Abuse rather than rhetoric, it's always the same. And there's me thinking neo-liberal was a byword for American world domination.

Forgive my possible ignorance but what point is there in either party escalating a minor dispute over the equivalent of a garden fence?

The same law applied to bars and off-licences (liquor stores) in UK from the First World War to avoid munitions workers getting pissed at lunchtime I believe. Unfortunately nobody worked out the war was over until more than 70 years later when the entire country switched from pubs to French style bistros overnight. This is all excessively silly in Thailand where the tourists can't buy a drink but all the locals ignore these silly restrictions. Don't ask me I don't give a damn next stop is Vietman - I can't remember who said that, of course I'm far too young.

Nobody else was reported as being killed. We don't know whether anybody else had problems or sustained injuries. The investigation might suggest putting up barriers but as you suggest an investigation isn't likely

A stupidly complacent conclusion to draw from a tragic incident. Isn't it the responsibility of the road owner (government or hotel) to ensure there are no potentially fatal drops from it? Is suggesting a barrier of some kind too complex? Very sad and unnecessary.

Unless and until the Thai authorities stop blaming foreigners for their own short-sighted shortcomings they will continue to wring their hands as they leach money to their neighbours in the region. I have worked hard all my life to spend my pension pot in Thailand, now it appears they don't want it.

There are strict rules relating to conduct within a temple, regardless of the precise nature of those living there temporarily or permanently. These were clearly violated. I can't work out why so many contributors to this forum appear to have so little understanding of the most basic Therevada Buddhist rules and teachings when Buddhism is a bedrock of Thai culture.

I got a non-O visa from London at the end of January this year. I keep 800,000B permanently in a Thai account for this purpose. A few years ago I tried to prove 65,000B / month income but that proved impossible. All round it's pretty daft and unnecessarily onerous but Thailand is what it is and it's best to give them exactly what they want if you don't want to waste your time and money. I'm no expert but it seems to me there isn't a way around this one. BTW If you are planning on extending it is worth trying to get your TM30 sorted reasonably soon after your arrival.

In case nobody noticed Hamas has already agreed to stand down in favour of a government of technocrats. Regardless, the genocide continues and the world sits on it's hands.

Trump is a bully and has zero knowledge of economics. Destroying the economies of countries supplying cheap labour to greedy US consumers damages both parties.

This is the 21st Century and an economy relying heavily on tourism. It cannot be impossible to organise sensible laws that retain cultural norms and still allow your average falang to go to a bar talk to a 'lady' and generally lounge about with a cheap bottle of lager in his hand. Meanwhile out in the sticks 7-11 won't serve you. It's not rocket science.

It's wonderful how the Thai authorities take such a robust attitude towards selling sex. It really is extremely difficult here to find young and attractive women who are prepared to engage in such reprehensible activities. Thailand's reputation remains a gleaming beacon of light.

Is that where I am then?

Is it just me that cannot see past the vast sex trade which is Pattaya's life blood. I simply can't see what is there for anybody outside of single male falang.

Not very hahaha at all. As Trump rules by dictat aka Presidential Decree the make up of Congress is immaterial isnnt? It may not be too early to genuinely call Trump a fascist.

Let's all have a good laugh at the crazy nutjob the dumb ass Mid West put in charge of the world economy. It will all end in tears before bed time and the Chinese will think all their birthdays have come at once.

Pass me the quill