SW Happy

On 2/2/2021 at 4:55 PM, Pilotman said:

when I was working full time, my 'start time'  for alcohol consumption was set at 6pm, provided I was not flying next day.  In fact, it was a family rule.   Now its 4pm and I sometimes struggle with that self imposed restriction.   Has your a acceptable  'start time' changed since retirement? 

Don't drink anymore.   Don't drink any less either.    Usually start around Wine o'clock.

On 2/4/2021 at 11:25 AM, FritsSikkink said:

If you look at the COVID section, you can find it all there already

Ahh. Give him a chance, he's looking for something to while away the boredom.

41 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

What is it with Thais and poles? We read of these collisions every single day. And they usually seem to be on straight roads. I live on a long straight road and in my seven years here there have been around 20 accidents - I've lost count now - within 500 metres of my house, involving death, coma, amputations, overturned lorries, pickups in the roadside ditch. When Thais can't even negotiate a straight road you know there's a problem. Maybe, like yesterday when we were forced to pull over as a car came straight at us flashing his lights, they are forced off the road too.

 

I now refuse to go out at night as there are too many bikes with no rear light, or not even a front light as they come at you on the wrong side of the road, drivers who are clearly drunk, drivers driving down the wrong side of a dual carriageway. And so on and so on. The place is a lunatic asylum. Just today I saw three kids sitting in the sidecar part of a motorcycle - which is illegal, but it being illegal has no relevance in Thailand - with the boy driver showing off by weaving over the road and almost being hit by a pickup. Why is it that Thais have absolutely no awareness of danger?

I believe they just don't care or think too mutt. Life is cheap in Thailand and Paradise awaits.

On 1/28/2021 at 11:00 AM, spidermike007 said:

Hold on a minute. Though the water is cleaner than usual, without the tourists, crystal clear is a stretch. The water is never crystal clear in the Gulf. Nowhere. Not Dark Tao, and certainly not HH. 

 

You want super clean beaches, with crystal clear water? Try these spots. Can't decide whether you want white- or pink-sand beaches? ...

 

Tikehau Island, French Polynesia.

Dreamland Beach, Bali. ...

Menjangan Island, Bali

Gili Islands, Lombok

Raja Ampat, West Papua

Busuanga Island, Philippines 

Seagrass Bay, Laucala Island, Fiji

Ypao Beach, Tumon Guam

Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

Maipio Valley Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. ...
Harbour Island, Bahamas. ...
Blue Beach (La Chiva), Vieques, Puerto Rico. ...
Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI.

Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
Lindquist Beach, St. Thomas
Palm Beach, Aruba

San Blas, Panama
Oludeniz, Turkey

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada, Greece

And locally try Banana Beach, Koh Hey Island, Phuket 

 

 

 

The pink sand beaches at Harbour island are amazing. Stayed there a few years back.

On 1/23/2021 at 5:34 PM, mogandave said:

 

What items can you have sent in? 

 

 

Sorry for late response. You can have whatever you like sent in except alcohol, although there are ways around that.

My GF sent fitness mat, dumbells, batteries for my camera, Twinings tea, teapot, tin of biscuits, honey, etc, helps with the boredom in this 5 star jail. Im out of here in the morning Yipee. Good luck my friend 

On 1/21/2021 at 5:49 PM, KhaoYai said:

Far more than 1.5 million. Since very few Thai's pay income tax, it would be interesting to know what the world bank base their figures on.

It certainly would be interesting. If they base it on the Thais that do pay tax you can take the decimal point out of the 1.5 mill.

20 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

So, if he had shown up as demanded there would have been no problem about her being a minor.

No. Once he handed over 60.000 baht and the gold there would be no problem!

19 hours ago, Makoshark said:

Depends on your mental stability.  When i go away, I always treat myself to the most expensive hotel.  WHY ?  Even though I'm retired, I want to stay in a place that's nicer than what i already have.  That being said,  My condo is very high up and I face the River 2 minutes away.

 

The Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Bang Rak, Bangkok-  It's literally on the River and a 4-star Hotel.  The 3- star Hotel 2 minutes away from the Shang is Centerpoint Hotel, Bang Rak.  You won't be disappointed

 

For 14 days TREAT yourself.  

 

 

 

My sentiments also. I am here now Shangri-la, 3 days to go, Room has everything needed and very prestigious, very comfortable king size bed, great food, deep bath to soak in and lots of hot water,nice balcony overlooking the Chao Phraya river so plenty to see.Can also have items sent in.

On 1/20/2021 at 11:11 AM, CharlieH said:

Fail to see why some are so quick to delight in the death of another.

 

Forget about helping people, nah, lets kill them its easier. Geez.

Put that S--t in your body suffer the consequences, drugs or no drugs he's pure Evil. No trial or Jury straight to execution and give that Policeman a medal.

On 1/20/2021 at 12:53 PM, RichardColeman said:

Is there any positive stories on Thai Visa about Nigerians in Thailand  ?

Yes. He's going home.

On yer bikey  onyabuchi!

On 1/10/2021 at 1:00 PM, spidermike007 said:

I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 
 
This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. Unless I settled for an old lady. No thanks. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 550 mbps fiber optic connection, at under 800 baht per month!), stand up comedy, variety of food, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation and joylessness, that I had to when I lived back there.
 
Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns here. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. America is so overpriced. That is 120,000 baht a month for rent! And who can afford to own, at this time?

 

Nearly every friend I have in the US is single. Why? Because for a man in the US, who is past the age of 50, unless he is willing to get with a woman at least his age, his prospects are dim for finding love, or companionship. Some guys like me, simply prefer younger women. Not kids, but women who are 5, 10, 15, even 20 or 25 years younger than us. For a dozen very valid reasons. I could break them down, but why bother? The PC crew will jump on this and say it is not right. You should not be able to have this kind of life, without jumping over ridiculous hurdles! Means nothing to me. I do not do PC. Why be with a woman our age, if we do not need to? Nothing wrong with it, if it works for you. But It is virtually impossible for a 60 year old man in the US, to hook up with a woman in her 30's, much less early 40's, unless she is very fat or very ugly, or he is a centi millionaire, or is famous. Period. It just does not happen in this day and age.

Here it is possible. Granted he will likely get with a woman of lesser means, who needs a guy who can provide some financial stability. So what? Who cares? Most women want financial stability anywhere in the world, whether they admit it or not. The difference is here the women are more honest about their financial needs and desires. I know a lot of men who have engaged in relationships with lovely, kind, supportive, humorous, and sexy women here, who are no longer lonely. We have very good lives. Fulfilling lives. Lives we could never dream of having back in the US, Oz, NZ, UK, Canada, or Scandinavia.

My wife is joyful, playful, smart, funny, affectionate, incredibly supportive, and light hearted. She is emotionally consistent, and is the same lovely woman from one day to the next. She has a smile on her face when she wakes up in the morning. Never experienced that in the states. Some Thais manifest that unbearable lightness of being, that is so delightful to be around. I cannot really get enough of that spirit, and feel so blessed to be around that, and to have found such a well adjusted and delightful creature.

 

Sure, Thailand has changed. My first trip here was in 1976! It was so much different than now. The politics here are absolutely regressive. The army is horrendous. Will that ever improve? I think so. I think the youth will eventually oust them, as they are virtually useless to Thai society, with the exception of protecting the elite, those in power and the super wealthy. But alot of things here have improved since then. The infrastructure here is quite good. Sure they could use a high speed rail. That would be amazing. Hopefully it will happen. The whole world is different now. The whole planet is being affected by a greatly expanding population, inflation, environmental issues, politics, Covid, and congestion. So, we are going to experience some of that no matter where we are. All I know, is that every day I wake up, I am very glad to be here, very glad to be with the woman I am with, and thankful for my life. Would I feel the same way in the US? I seriously doubt it. Most of my friends back in the US, say they would trade positions with me, in a heartbeat, if they could. I believe them. And I feel for them. There is one circumstance under which I would move back to the US. If a sponsor of some sort offered me a million dollars a year. I would do it for three years, then leave again! The quality of life where I came from is a pale shadow of what it used to be. No thanks.

There is one more consideration. No matter where we go, we still have to contend with ourselves, our attitude, our issues and our minds. So, some will always be seeking greener pastures. Nothing wrong with that. But, it does not insure fulfillment.
 

Great story. Not that its going to happen but why go back to USA for 3 years for 3 mill. sounds like a waste of 3 years considering the great life you have in Thailand. As they say money does not buy happiness. But I suppose it helps along the way. ????

5 hours ago, Kaopad999 said:

Thank you. Ever since living here, i have had nothing but great experiences & I have always found the Thai's to be  extremely accommodating, friendly, generous,  and considerate towards other people. 

Couldn't agree more. 

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

And the truly astonishing aspect of this, that few seem to be discussing, is that this could have been at least partly avoided, had Prayuth and Anutin, two stunningly incompetence men, taken action early, and decisively. Instead, the whole country is made to suffer the consequences of inaction, of not locking down ground zero, Samut Sakorn (just a relatively small section of the province, actually) the first day of the second outbreak. It is beyond comprehension. It should have been locked down like a maximum security penitentiary. Cordoned off. Nobody comes in or out. And can anyone guess why it wasn't? It is one of the largest seafood distribution centers in Thailand, and it would have meant the loss of a small fortune, for some. So, it came down to sacrificing a large fortune, and the nations economy, for a relatively small out of money, coming from those seafood sales. Nothing else makes sense. No other explanation means anything, or comes close to breaking down why this action as not decisively taken. Sure, the main market was closed. But, people were allowed to travel freely, and become super spreaders. Just incredibly dumb policy and a nearly unforgivable lack of action. Samut Sakorn should have been completely locked down, within 24 hours, instead of a partial and anemic lockdown days later. As always with this administration, too little, too late.

 

I would love to do a poll, and ask how many of us and how many Thais, thought the army would use this latest outbreak to their advantage? To flex their feeble muscles, even more? To put down the return of the promised protests? To contain the masses?
 
How about if we turn this around on them. I don't know about you, but I am quite angry right now. They allowed this to happen, after all. This could have been so easily prevented. So, what the ex-pat community, and the Thai people should be asking is:

1. How can you demonstrate to us, that you are up for the task of leadership?
2. What are you doing to prove that you can and will protect us?
3. Instead of contact tracing us, how about we trace you, and make sure you are doing your job? How about you report to us daily, and let us know how you are handling and containing this epidemic that happened on your watch? Stop talking, and start working, and doing your jobs.
4. Why did you not prevent this? How did you allow these corrupt officials to let infected people in? Why is nobody in a position of power being arrested? Why aren't heads rolling?
5. Why are you not making the vaccines more of a priority? Why isn't the army sacrificing some of its huge budget for the people? 
6. What are you planning on offering the people in the way of assistance, so they can survive this disaster you helped create?
7. Can you demonstrate to us why you think Anutin, who has no background whatsoever in the filed of health, is up for the task of tackling this emergency?
8. And why are you shutting down so many businesses, yet you allowed ground zero to remain open to people coming and going since this latest outbreak happened, only closing the province down yesterday? Why such bad decisions, and such extreme incompetence? How do you justify that? How do you explain that? Thousands of cases emanated from Samut province. You knew that would happen. 
9. How about a compulsory level of competence and experience, for all future administration appointments to key positions?
10. Why have you been so hard on foreigners, making it so incredibly difficult to fly in, yet so lax on the borders?
11. Why should we allow you to remain in power? What have you done lately to deserve that power? 
 

And Why are you trying to fly to the moon when Mars seems much more interesting.????

7 hours ago, GaryAdriaenssens said:

One could start wondering what's really going on here worldwide..... Do our so-called "leaders" really know what they're doing ? Have real doubts about that.

They know exactly Whats going on and what to do, thats why they are trying to get to the moon. ????

7 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Sadly, many of those people are not coming back. They are dead. Covid has hit the Walking street  people the hardest - Over age 65, obese, smoker, pre-existing diseases of heart, kidney diabetes, lung.

Pattaya will become the convention capital of SE Asia once the redevelopment and clean up is finished.

 

Should I care because I do not. Let's be honest- anyone who was collecting  barfine from a  lady was in practice a pimp.  Some of the beer bars were holes- nothing more than filthy places with uncomfortable seats and dirty tables. Having a pillow soiled with years of sweat didn't make it more comfortable to sit.

 

Many of the bars and clubs had monkey business going on and many customer had a bad outcome. Some of the bars were run by criminal types from Australia, Denmark, UK, Sweden. And the employees? Did not trust any I saw.  I have been to Pattaya for events. When you stay at Hilton or Meridien,  everything is safe, clean proper, but it is nothing special.

 

 

Sometimes the outcome is merited. 

 

I dont agree, I thought those pillows with years of sweat were very comfortable.

7 hours ago, Kaopad999 said:

They always  seem to have a similar appearance... 

What you mean mister.  Beer belly and cash ????

8 hours ago, Sean60 said:

This is a sad picture. Within you can see closed ships and bars. Behind that are soon to be bankrupt people. These peoples life is going to be destroyed.

You will same similar pictures in Phuket and Koh Samui. It is not only Pattaya.

And has the government issued any kind of relief package to small size businesses? NOTHING,   ZERO

Has the government started with Vaccination program? NO  Meanwhile England, Germany and Israel have vaccinated loads of their citizens.

Amazing Thailand!!

Thats not fair.  They are busy trying to get to the moon.????

10 hours ago, wombat said:

I thought she was looking for Chucky 

No, She say you looking for F---ky   Handsum man.????

On 1/9/2021 at 9:38 PM, Mike k said:

It needs to be the president elect and his vp 

One way of course. ????

20 hours ago, xtrnuno41 said:

There you go, is it cost effective ! That is the point on how all works, profit, money and not caring about environment.

You wind up about CO2, but think about the plastic everywhere. Killing lots of animals in sea, in sky, on land.

The oceans are a part of the world eco system and all living creatures in it, also in CO2 emissions, we destroy it.

 

Micro plastic is already found in food, in animals, in ...humans. We dig our own grave, as the micro plastic blocks your veins at one time, You just die. Problem solved then?

8000000 TONS of plastic EVERY year in oceans and now they trying to get it out again with new invented machines. Are you kidding me?

Who is F**** responsible for that?! Can you imagine such an amount of plastic?!

Islands of plastic in the oceans as big as the size of Texas!

You get it? I dont.

They can make bio plastic which breaks down easily, They use it? , no as the other plastic is way more cheaper and as company you want...profit. Then you should force all companies to use. Ban oil plastic.

 

Good now China and other Asian countries put a ban on importing waste plastic. Now maybe "developed" countries have to find the way to get rit of the plastic them selves. Again has to do with profit , money.

Can you imagine, it is cheaper to send containers full of waste plastic to Asian countries, then to do something about it yourself. What they are going to do now? Dump more plastic in the oceans?

Why should we then care about CO2 or NO emissions in the air? Doesnt make sense, USA , China dont care and probably India upcoming economical country neither. Long live NATO.

 

You ever saw the movies of ships being demolished? They just do it on a beach, bare footed people  just do it.

No protection what so ever for them or environment, low money, but of course profit for employer.

Oil running into the sea and of course remains of cargo, like chemicals or what ever is in it.

You better have it done in a country which dont care about environment, cheaper.

 

They spend billions on a machine just to see a Higgsboson particle, but forget about plastic particles.

You get it? I dont.

Red an article once, in Harvard university they found accidentally a way to  transform CO2 to methanol in a relative cheap way. They were not even looking for that. Where is the invention now? Bought and put on a shelf?

Many very good ideas are bought by big companies and just stored, doing nothing.

Why .... money, profit on existing systems and the idea is threatening for companies.

In  few years we will go to Mars and we will start allover again.

 

 

You are absolutely right. The powers that be would rather buy Chinese  nuclear submarines or send rocket to the moon.

But what is the answer to get governments to act realistically.

18 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

How exactly will Thai people benefit from this moon trip ? 

Because when they realise they can start selling lumps of it Thais will own 51% and farangs 49%.

On 1/7/2021 at 12:13 PM, RichardColeman said:

I think they should concentrate on something more realistic

 

Only room for 1 spaceman???

17 hours ago, UTH001 said:

And why should the police or army be allowed to threaten people, just wondering?

Because they wear a uniform and think they are above the law. Hold on. They are the law ???