Fat is a type of crazy

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32 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

Sure my post will produce lots of responses but why in the world would you want to go to Koh Chang? It's in a word one of the worst Thai islands I have ever visited i.e. some of the most polluted beaches in all of Thailand, a very few usable beaches (unless you stay in the resorts that ban and prohibit use of 'their' beaches), and island except for one of its entire sides has no beaches at all but rocky impassible outcrops, a rubbish problem that sees an almost constant stink of piled up refuse on the roadsides.

I last went two years ago and am hoping to go In January or February from Australia. Hotel prices look good for middle of high season. 

I tend to stay at one of the hotels on the beach and, all or most of the beaches are accessible, though I take your points that at some spots at say Klong Prao it's not easy.

In terms of pollution I disagree. Yes you do get a bit of rubbish sometimes on the beach, especially in one section of Khlong Prao, but otherwise it's pretty good. Sadly a bit of rubbish on the beach is the way of most if not all Asian beaches but on many beaches on Koh Chang I see little if any rubbish. Compare it to many Phuket beaches and it's usually much cleaner and the water is better. 

The rubbish on the roadside I only noticed as you go towards Lonely beach at one point but that was a long time ago.  

In summary for beautiful beaches with outlooks to stunning hills and mountains it's hard to beat in Thailand. 

22 hours ago, VincentRJ said:

I have no doubt that climate change is real. However, the 'myth' that has been created  is that the climate in its natural state is relatively benign and that our emissions of C02 will cause the climate to become, on average, catastrophic for mankind and other species, and that we can make the climate relatively benign again, as it's supposed to be, by reducing our CO2 emissions.

 

This myth relies upon the obscuring or under-reporting of the history of past climate changes and the history of extreme weather events. For example, in the science of Geology, it is well-established that sea levels around 20,000 years ago, during the last Glacial Maximum (often called the Ice Age) were on average around 120 metres lower than today.

 

Doing some basic maths, 120 metres is 120,000 mm. Divide that by 20,000 and you get 6 mm. In other words, the average rate of sea-level rise during the past 20,000 years has been 6 mm per year. However, the average rate of sea-level rise since the beginning of the industrial revolution is claimed (by the alarmists) to be around 1.9 to 2 mm per year, with some recent rises as high as 3 mm per year, which appears to be very worrying for those who subscribe to the new religion. ????
 

It may be true but I don't think it's helpful to talk about averages in this case given that it appears the temperature has varied up and down significantly in the intervening period and this was at a time of relatively few people that  could be affected.  Those that were there were more likely nomadic or just died - in the heat or the cold.  It appears the latest climate change is significant and the effect in a hugely populated world, if trends continue, could be catastrophic. 

I can see why some might compare this alarmism to a need to believe in a sort of God inspired armageddon but I have some faith that 99 per cent of scientists are not part of a conspiracy to control the world or make money and that action is required.

There's been a fascinating change in Australia where Rupert Murdoch owned media has done an about face and become climate action believer from strong denier. Let's see the latest in the upcoming meetings in Scotland. 

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Indeed we had it great, except for one fly in the proverbial ointment, we also saw woman become able to take our houses off us with the full blessing of the law. I lost my golden egg to an undeserving woman.

Not all baby boomers benefitted, or should I say that the ( ex ) wives did at the husband's expense.

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

But for the first time in history our wives could take all that from us.

I'll state the  obvious and note that in previous times it was unfair because women got nothing..in fact in some cases they were part of man's property. You are right though that , in an effort to balance the scale, they have got it wrong sometimes. Hard to see though why the women would be given more than half unless there were young kids in the mother's care. Maybe it's complicated if there's a house.

I saw you are with a bit of a hotty now Britman so a silver lining and all that. 

58 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I have seen 2 grand finals and still am confused about the rules. 

Actually the last one, 3 or 4 years ago, I was told that no one could be sent off, no matter what they did! 

Correct .. but if you do do something bad, particularly in the grand final,  you could be out for the next 10 games, 20,  or whole season. But you can finish that game and hold up the trophy..

I think Australian Rules football makes the most sense. Pick it up and kick or hand pass back, forward, wherever, catch it, it is the best game. 

For the climate change, and taking action on covid, skeptics - to me you are like religious types, who stick with a certain premise, and work from there. Clearly the scientific evidence is that climate change is real and having significant effects and that the effect of covid required significant action to limit deaths. 

By all means differ on the action required, or what you are willing to put up with, but the science is in. If you are a good scientist, who can come up with the facts against the status quo, sure ... it might be a bit difficult, but there are enough good and smart people to change the scientific premise, if appropriate. Most who deny the above are not scientists but tedious media commentators and similar, with their own nonscientific agenda, in my opinion.

I get one for work and my only observation is that I have had it for about 8 years and still working well so that's something. I use it as a hot spot for internet for my computer for work and for television and it works well. 

16 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Yeah! Have heard such nice things abt Melbourne... wonder how many places have been forced out of business... and you are skinny? yeah yeah!!.. though i have found that most skinny people are pretty neurotic... nervous people.. and rather annoying but I guess it keeps the metabolism kicking better than contentment.. 

Melbourne is nice but has a 4 month winter. Today lovely and 23. Government support meant difficult for some businesses but most have stayed open. No more lockdowns from here on in. Economy did better than Thailand. 

1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

and you think fat is a type of crazy?

I have spent probably 16 or 17 of that 19 months literally locked down in my house in Melbourne Australia the most locked down city in the world.  

The point being not many options for women in any case. Been with her for 10 years and happy to have been so. 

As it happens, given vaccination rates, today is the last day of full lockdown though thankfully I can still work from home so if I can just bring her here or go there I am a happy man.

2 hours ago, WEBBYB808 said:

You really think she has waited two years?

I am sure there are many who can't resist the WEBBYB808 charms, or similar,  but my girl is different. 

2 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

That's a tough one.  As I got older, different things had different impacts.

 

1:  The Prisoner

2:  Lost in Space.  The original from the 60s when I was a kid.

3:  Cheers (I'm a New England Native)

4:  Nova

5:  Ramsey's Kitchen

 

Notable mention: 

 

UFO, the Gerry Anderson show.  Eerie ending with the planet Earth showing us so isolated in the universe.

Married With Children

In Living Color

Parker Lewis Can't lose

 

Best Sunday night comedy lineup ever from like 1990

Lost In Space was fun.

Star Trek didn't do it for me. I am a public servant and Star Trek just seemed like public servant's in space. Structured government workers. No freedom. Next Generation wasn't bad.

Some of the monsters look a bit crappy and the stories can be a bit slow, and silly in the second series, but the the feel of the show and the spaceship and the journey through space and the sound of the engines, and the soundtrack from Johnny Williams and others, is excellent. Series 3 theme music is the best. Better than the Star Wars theme, that he went on to do, in my opinion. 

It was popular in Australia. Johnathon Harris did an Australian tour to full houses with the robot in the  early 90's. Youtube has it and it's fun.

It could be time for you to move back to the States. Start a new adventure. What seemed exotic when you moved to Thailand now may seem stultifying. What seemed like freedom feels like a cage.

Back in the States you can get the food and culture you miss. I sense that if you never saw a temple or Jasmine rice again you would be happy. Think of that cheese and wine you miss. You say you love it in Thailand but do you.

Sure, the fantasy of a young Thai lady, who you can pretend loves you, is alluring but maybe you could find someone not so pretty in the states who can end your celibacy and give you something you crave - conversation with someone to whom you can relate. 

Your lifestyle might go down a notch in some ways but that could be part of the adventure of a return to the States. 

It just takes Australia to open the gates, which should be shortly, and Thailand to include Australia, which I think they will, and not too outrageous airfares or accommodation prices and I'll be there. Lot of people have maximum annual leave, been stuck at home a long time, and therefore you'll get a fair few from Australia. 

5 hours ago, Used2LuvThailand said:

Home is where you hang your hat, and one person's paradise, is another person's hell.  That said, I noticed several people saying they're happy in Thailand due to the 'freedom'.  What freedoms are you talking about?

Can't buy property.

Can't realistically obtain permanent residency or citizenship.

Can't work without paying a significant amount of money EVERY month.

Can be sued by anyone for anything for any reason....especially if you hurt someone's feelings.

A car accident, whether your fault or not, is potential financial ruin and jail time.  

 

FYI, The Science ™ followers will never let the bars/clubs open again and the religious fanatics praying to their ghosts and running the country will agree with them.

 

Freedom?  You're a frog in a pot of water on the stove....you just don't realize it.  Other than China, Myanmar, Iran, North Korea, almost any other country on the planet has more 'freedom' than Thailand.

You make some good points. 

I think the freedom some talk about relates to Thai women and the fact that their nature means they are more likely to let western men be themselves and not try and turn you into something you are not. On the other hand it may be just the  freedom for some to get women on a limited budget.

A further example of Thai freedom might relate to business e.g. street food which is much freer in Thailand - so many regulations in Australia. But Thailand has it's own limits - corruption, when you can buy alcohol, etc. 

Some mention the lax road rules in Thailand as a type of freedom. It might feel good but makes road travel 100 times more dangerous than elsewhere.

Thailand seems to have other freedoms - the freedom to pollute - burn off or leave rubbish where you see fit. The freedom to exploit workers with low pay. The freedom for the super rich to get richer. 

In reality Australia in many aspects is much more free and fair.  Sure - it's been a bit tough during covid - but now most people are vaccinated and those times are coming back. 

Being on this site makes me see the good in Thailand and the good in Australia. 

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

As long as you don't have property in Australia, you should be good, because on top of paying 1/3rd in tax on your rental income and not being allowed to claim any outgoing expenses, such as council, water rates, insurances etc, you will be up for a 42% capital gains tax bill from the day you purchased your property as per the change in the legislation as at 1 July 2019.

 

Now if that's not firing a rocket up anyone's rear for wanting to live overseas and hold onto property, then I don't know what is.

I can't see something saying you can't claim deductions same as a resident, such as rates, against rental income as a non-resident. 

I don't think it will affect me in any case. The more I look at this site the more I think I'll spend six months in each place. 

It probably doesn't feel like that to the kids as they are learning it for the first time. If you learnt that white people in power were all good you were lied to. Same as if they said they were all bad. Telling the truth and getting the balance right is not that easy. 

The part I think kids miss is that ability to just go out all day and roam the countryside like we did. You can understand parents being cautious but I think I could have had a lesser childhood if friends and I didn't do the things we did without parents in tow. I even would be on beaches alone at 7 or 8 which probably was a bit risky and irresponsible but it was fun. 

As an Australian I would find the idea of retiring in much of the Americas or in Africa as a bit too foreign and unfamiliar. Going to Colombia or Costa Rica or Morocco might be a nice holiday but can't imagine living there. Europe seems a long way away too and I have no real link or connection.  So that's leaves Oceania and Asia.

Bali and the islands between to Timor are OK but wouldn't want to live there. Other Asian countries don't seem better or that desirable. New Zealand is nice. For me though it's Thailand and Australia. Can't think of three other countries that are actual contenders. 

On 10/1/2021 at 12:17 PM, newnative said:

    How much will rent, water, electricity, phone, etc. run you monthly in Oz?  I'm not Australian so I have no idea but usually keeping a roof over your head is your biggest monthly expense and it is very cheap to do that in Pattaya, especially with the low rents these days.  What would 10,000 baht get you in Oz for a rental at a beach city?   I imagine some of the other things on your list--smoking, travel, cinema, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. would also cost as much or more in Oz--and probably also things like eating out.   I know, as an American, that if I were on a very tight budget in Thailand and having to live frugally due to only a small pension I would be in even worse shape trying to do that in the US.   

Some of the things you mention are much much cheaper in Thailand.  Rent would be from 45000 away from but not too from the sea for a half decent apartment and much more on the sea. Smokes are 700 baht for a pack of 25, cinemas are 600 baht a ticket, accommodation for holidays is minimum 4000 baht per night for something pretty normal, restaurants double the price of Thailand. 

My water bills, electric, and gas are 24000 a year each. 

Food and wine and beer pretty good though. 

Australia has fairly good pay. Sometimes shocked when I see US wages for some jobs. Don't smoke, don't rent, and mainly holiday overseas so not too bad.