pseudorabies

6 hours ago, aBigSmile said:

Their chances are identical. The vaccines don't stop transmissions nor prevent infections -- no brand exempt. What is claimed they do -- by the pharmaceutical companies and the overseeing agencies alike -- is to reduce Covid-19 symptoms. 

Wait.... You're saying that someone who has been tested negative by PCR 48 hours prior has the same chance of having covid and being infectious as a Thai person who has never been tested by PCR?  I'm sorry but that makes no sense.  

From the US CDC's website - 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

We're in a similar situation we were in when the vaccines first came out - priority was given to certain groups. Same right now for booster shots.  I'd expect that boosters will be recommended for all soon.

I think it's OK to second-guess what you hear from Thais regarding the virus, the pandemic, public health policies, economic policies, etc

After their long quest to the top of this mountain the disabled will likely find...... A squat toilet.

Try to not make a mess

After their long journey to the top of this mountain they will likely find...... A squat toilet.

Try to not make a mess

On 11/3/2021 at 3:47 PM, PoorSucker said:

Index is really not what I'm looking for.

My problem is my size (61) and slightly oval head.

Hard to find something comfortable.

This is probably a lot more information than what you are looking for but an informative thread for sure -

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529418

This was a useful resource for me the last time a was shopping for a new helmet - https://www.lidpicker.com/free-data . I did perform some measurements with calipers that I bought from Amazon.  Using these numbers and info from Lidpicker I settled on an Arai something-something which has fit me perfectly.  

On 11/3/2021 at 11:22 AM, webfact said:

"We're ready and open", he said. "But only Thais are coming, and not many of them". 

I call BS on this.  The last few weekends HH have been jam packed with Thais.  Traffic on the weekends has been horrendous. 

My wife and I were walking on Hua Hin Soi 57 and the surrounding farang-focused tourist area one Saturday evening a few weekends ago.  It looked like 75% of the businesses were closed. Permanently. Psychologically it was depressing. And that's not taking into account Soi Binthabaht (sp?) and Soi 80 where the bars and restaurants have been decimated. If the government was smart and serious about this they'd help the surviving businesses to stay afloat and offer seed money to get businesses into the spaces left behind when businesses went belly up.

Oh.... and ditch the puritanical rules on alcohol, especially in restaurants.  It has little effect other than making tourists choose destinations that are more fun.  Like Dubai.  

I actually visited Bumrungrad a few days ago for this and was quoted ~110k per eye.  This is for a lens that will correct extreme near-sightedness and astigmatism.  I'm not sure how that impacts the price.

The difference in wind noise levels when wearing ear plugs vs not wearing have been enormous for every full face helmet I've had.  I feel like I can hear more with earplugs in when I'm riding above 75kph than I can without.

I'm thinking that even in areas like BK, Pattaya and Phuket you would reach market saturation fairly quickly.  Maybe form referral partnerships with some of the more successful motorcycle accessory retailers in the area? Or maybe sell accessories, especially those that are already hard to find, yourself? Ventilated boots for women come to mind which are about as rare as a unicorn being ridden by a virgin in Pattaya.

2 hours ago, aldriglikvid said:

 

I will pleasantly admit, I like both your ideas. I usually travel light in cabin and I could probably fit GPU, CPU, RAM, SSD there (and I guess it's legal since it's not heavy batteries). 

Admittedly I don't want to make this a computer forum, but - from the top of your head, any particular bags/bagging technique I should think of? Keeping the gear safe 

I did exactly this last year and it worked well for me.  I had my MB-CPU-RAM-SSD in my carry-on luggage.  PSU and GPU in checked luggage.  On my second day in ASQ I ordered a new case and monitor.  Putting it back together gave me something to do plus I was able to play some games afterwards.  No problems other than having to pull out the board a couple of times for security to examine.

From what I've seen most of the kids, especially the girls, ride more responsibly than those in their late teens/early twenties.  It looks like she was an exception.  Sad to see her pay with her life for a stupid mistake.

On 10/20/2021 at 9:07 AM, nchuckle said:

The main problem with the otherwise good CRV is the poor engine choice. 2 Very ancient technology petrol engines long since (years ago) superseded in Western markets and a tiny 1.6 diesel,also long since discontinued elsewhere. Honda seems to ride on its reputation to dump those poor engine variants on undiscriminating Thai market. The excellent hybrid variant which I drove 4 years ago in UK still not available here! I looked at the Mazda 8 recently and have to say it looks a superior package to the CRV ,especially when those poor Honda engines are not reflected in their price.

I'm on my second CRV.  My first was a 1.5L turbo that was my wife's in the US.  Last year we bought a new DTEC AWD to replace the car we had to sell when we moved from the US.  Around town the diesel is noisier than the gas powered version we had but on the highway I'd say it's quieter.  I've never felt that the diesel lacked power and for a car it's fast enough (I ride higher performance motorcycles so IMO all cars are slow and boring).  My biggest complaint is Honda's nanny-like safety features which for me add to the stress of driving.  Second on the list would be the ECU's sluggishness to respond when asking it to accelerate quickly.  Sometimes I can almost sense the ECU doing the math to try to figure out which gear to use, throttle body openings, richness etc.  Once it decides though it will accelerate pretty quickly.  I've noticed this on every honda I've had over the past 25 years.

On 10/22/2021 at 4:45 PM, JetsetBkk said:

OK, so I've got my shortlist of SUVs to replace my 17 year old Toyota Tiger pickup:

1. Mitsubishi Pajero
2. Honda CRV
3. MG ZS
4. Isuzu MU-X
5. Toyota Fortuna
6. Mazda CX-8
7. Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
8. Chevrolet Trailblazer Z71
9. Hyundai Tucson
10. Haval H6
11. Suzuki XL7

Up to 1 1/2 million is OK.

Decisions, decisions.  ???? 

 

I think the next question you should ask yourself is whether you prefer unibody to frame construction as it makes a big difference in handling, ride comfort and capacity.  Having rented a Fortuner for a week and owned two CRV's I can tell you that there is an immense difference in ride quality and handling.

4 hours ago, skatewash said:

Generally, in the US people follow the rules but don't have good situational awareness while driving.  It's the opposite in Thailand, Thais have good situational awareness while driving but don't follow the written rules.  There are informal rules that are followed you have to observe and learn them.

I think you are correct but I'd add that compared with Westerners, Thais, especially (male) motorbike operators and (male) pick-up truck drivers, have a very skewed sense about what is dangerous and risky to them and especially you.  It seems like for them something going wrong resulting in an accident is an impossibility.  The accident stats here reflect this attitude.

I'll second bupropion/Wellbutrin.  I had taken SNRI's and SSRI's with little to no benefit.  Wellbutrin was the only med that had any effect.  It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and perhaps most importantly dopamine in the brain.  There is minimal therapeutic delay as is often the case with SNRI's and SSRI's.  If taken as directed it's relatively safe.  You will probably know if it is working for you after a day or two.  It is expensive and might be difficult to find outside of tourist areas.  

I'd also take Sheryl's advice and consult a psychiatrist.  I'd also ask her or him about newer therapeutics targeting NMDA receptor signaling including ketamine.  It's being used in the West but I haven't heard anything about its use in Thailand. It's benefit is its efficacy rate and rapid response.

Looking for the status of NMDA receptor pathway antagonists I came across a paper describing the use of dextromethorphan and bupropion combination therapy.  Again, I wouldn't recommend self-medicating but mention it so you can make sure that the doctor is considering all options, especially those that are newer.  Some in the depression field are stuck on the Monoamine Hypothesis and prescribe only around that.  The data for ketamine and similar, more tailor-made drugs is compelling and IMO should be considered.

Hang in there.  Try to accept and remember that things for you will get better.

7 minutes ago, SeaMike01 said:

It's a visa. I did register it when it arrived a few months ago. But for some reason the ATMs declined the transaction.

Did you set up the PIN?  For me it was a challenge using my Google voice phone.  I had to spend over 30 minutes with an agent. For some reason their automated system wouldn't accept input from the Google Voice app.