Patong2021

I voted yes. It has been a veritable gold mine of information for foreign intelligence agencies. Thailand is like the international concessions of Shanghai prior to the Japanese invasion. The subterfuge, the machinations and even a little bit of Casablanca movie scenarios. I am surprised that all the proponents of conspiracy claims, are not supportive of the Russian presence. It's how some of the claims are supported. And if it weren't for the Russians and their need to launder money, many westerners would be in dire straits as the westerners are important enablers. The Russians have pumped money into the struggling Thai tourism sector, boosting incomes. They have bought up poor performing businesses to be used for their fronting and laundering and there are even some erstwhile efforts to have a legitimate business. On a human level, although few in number, many of the Russian kids (early to mid 20's) are rather decent. Polite and cheerful despite their often being hard up for money, I genuinely feel for them and try to be nice. The older Russians though, get my disdain. They are recognizable by their group huddling, their poor fashion sense, and the horrible haircuts. They are a dour and nasty group. Often arrogant, always scowling and unpleasant to be seated next to in restaurants. Their children run wild.

B'Tselem has its positions and it often goes over the top in its claims so as to gain attention. At their core, the complaints often do highlight injustice. The difference is that in Israel there are avenues of redress and organizations like B'tselem have used them. It is quite a contrast with the Arab approach. There isn't one Arab based human rights group that advocates on behalf of Arabs against Hamas, Islamic Jigad et al. You know why? because they are not allowed to exist and when people complain, they are silenced. What Arab human rights group has advocated on behalf of the Israeli baby still perhaps held captive in Hamas?

The Governor of New York state has the right to offer a pardon for New York state crimes. Unfortunately, Trum may not qualify because of the criteria; To be considered for a pardon in New York State, applicants must generally meet several eligibility criteria: 1. Completion of Sentence: The applicant must have completed their sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole, typically at least five years prior to applying. 2. Residency: The applicant should be a resident of New York State at the time of the application. 3. Demonstrated Rehabilitation: The applicant must show evidence of rehabilitation and positive behavior since the conviction. This can include steady employment, community service, educational achievements, and a lack of subsequent criminal activity. 4. Need for Relief: The applicant must demonstrate a specific need for the pardon, such as the restoration of civil rights, career advancement, or immigration relief. 5.Other Considerations: The Governor’s Office may consider factors such as the nature and severity of the offense, the applicant’s criminal history, and the overall impact of the conviction on the applicant’s life. Trump would not satisfy condition 2, as he is a resident of Florida now. Condition 3 would be an embarrassment to put forward.

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The OP presents an image of an someone who is afraid of advances and who is unable to understand the benefits cashless transactions bring to the marketplace. No more time wasted on tills counting change, reduced likelihood of petty thefts , reduced likelihood of armed robbery and an ease of administration. The paranoid scenarios described are all possible now in a world where cash can still be used. The only place I still have to use cash is in Thailand and it is a nuisance. I just don't like handling currency, particularly in places where their are infectious diseases. The sooner Thailand moves to POS technology, the easier it will be. I am an honest person and pay my taxes, so I have no need to hide my transactions in bitcoin or cash. The only bonafide reason to maintain some cash capability is to respond when there is a power failure and e commerce cannot be pursued. As e commerce systems become more redundant and safer, the risk reduces. As it is now, even in a cash option society, , we cannot access the cash in saving institutionswhen there is a power failure because the withdrawals cannot be processed.

Because you are making a nonsensical reference? Can you recall any German physicians being mentioned in the Topeka Flower Festival Journal? Consider the relevance. OK, but that has nothing to do with the use of wet leases. When an airline is entering into a wet lease, it is replacing or supplementing operational capacity. It's no different than hiring a mover. The mover brings the necessary equipment and employees to get the job done for the short term job. When the job is done, they go home. In a scenario involving the hiring of pilots, the airline has to keep them or to furlough them and that is an expensive undertaking. Your point may be partially true, but that is not why there are pilot shortages. As you may recall, we recently went through Covid. As a result, many of the largest airlines either suspended operations or cut back capacity to the bare minimum. Air travel did not recover immediately after the pandemic eased. That's almost 3 years of reduced demand, in some regions a 75% reduction in passenger air travel. The net result was that; - There were large scale pilot layoffs and furloughs. - Training programs were suspended, experience hours unavailable - Some of the most senior pilots took the opportunity to take early retirement, while other older pilots exercised their seniority rights to continue flying. - Scheduled maintenance and upgrades were delayed or postponed - As travel demand recovered, pilots were called back, but needed time to recertify and to take the necessary refresher hours in the flight simulators. This took time. - The older pilots who stayed, are now leaving or getting ready to leave the workforce. Unlike pre-covid times, there isn't a large pool of pilots ready to replace them. - On top of everything is a worldwide surge in travel demand. It will take 3-5 years to address the pilot shortage, and then we will be back to a surplus of qualified people and the cycle will then repeat itself.

And then many insist on them. My limo drivers all require pax buckle up. The airport bus to Hua Hin (and Pattaya) all require pax to buckle up.

There is insufficient demand for a regular route from the Canada/USA market. If there was, Air Canada would offer the service year round. It is only seasonal now for 6 months. 3X a week in Oct/Nov and then 5X a week until Songkran. Capacity is plentiful on the route. TG was not competitive with the Chinese carriers. Despite all the comments about wanting a direct route, those same people would rather fly China Eastern or Air China with a connection in China if they will save a few hundred $$. As it is, I doubt that TG can even compete with AC. Compounding the issue is that LAX isn't needed as a hub anymore. Rather than connect to a flight to BKK via LAX, Pax can often find better priced and shorter travel times if they connect from their city via ICN, HKG, TYO. It is unlikely TG will come back to the USA.

This is an insignificant issue that is being blown out of proportion. One would have to be clueless twit to not be aware of the worldwide backlog of aircraft deliveries. As of October 2024, Airbus reported a backlog of 8,769 jets, of which 7,832, or 89 percent, were A220 and A320 family narrowbodies. Boeing’s backlog was 6,246 aircraft, of which 4,770, or 77 percent, were 737 family narrowbody jets. Aircraft also have to be removed from service to allow for scheduled "deep"maintenance that includes extensive verification of engines and air frame. Almost all of the airlines now rely on wet leases to fill surge capacity demands and to replace aircraft that are temporarily out of service. It makes no sense to hire pilots for the short periods that the capacity is required. A wet lease is a cost effective solution for a short time need. The lessee has access to an aircraft that can be treated as an expense, and does not have to assume the long term expenses and HR issues that attach to hiring, training, and managing the crew.

It was a depressing read. There is no joy in the life of an inked up Pattaya prostitute. Consider that their likelihood of dying alone and destitute is high. Consider that their likelihood of dying from uterine cancer is many times higher than other women because of their likelihood of being infected with HPV, which also manifests as warts. Consider their likelihood of most likely suffering the effects of long term drinking and smoking. Consider the fact that they most likely have been able to establish more than transactional relationships and are emotionally alone. It was an article highlighting the fact that the women cannot go anywhere else because of their social stigma. And now, here you come along to claim it is a childish comment. You, the person who spews infantile nonsense ad nauseam.

You should care what the BBC does. It churns out statements and biased opinions that act against peacemaking efforts. If an organization with significant reach keeps repeating falsehoods and reinforcing bias, it undermines the efforts of the Arabs and Israelis who have made efforts and tried to bring a peaceful resolution.

Russia has a growing and very destructive catastrophe in the making. Parts of Siberia have become an environmental toxic wasteland. The oil industry is out of sight and out of mind for most people since it is located in deepest darkest Siberia. Unfortunately, the Russian pipelines leak and the storage tanks rupture. When Russia transfers oil to ghost tankers at sea, thousands of liters of oil often spill and are left unremediated because to clean up would acknowledge responsibility. Russia along with China, India and Iran is one of the world's worst polluted bilge and oil spill offenders. The oil brokers of Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and India have all enabled this environmental catastrophe. Putin has locked up and silenced the brave Russians who fought to protect Russia. Westerners are too preoccupied with virtue signalling to acknowledge the tragedy of Siberia. The loss isn't just Russia's but the world's.

A depressing read. I would ask how people can live like this, but then, they obviously do.

The common definition as per Article II of the Genocide Convention defines genocide as a crime that can take place both in time of war as well as in time of peace. It describes genocide as a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part. Israel can demonstrate that its targets were bonafide military related. The casualty count of 44,000 presented by Gaza does not differentiate between military & support personnel and the general population. The Geneva Conventions allows for collateral damage including civilians if they are located in proximity to legitimate military targets. The Amnesty report refers to the death of children and creates the impression that they have been specifically targeted. A person carrying a weapon and shooting at the IDF becomes a legitimate target. Hamas and its allies used the children as human shields and often located their command and control headquarters in residential areas. They also intentionally kept their families in proximity so that they could be martyrs to their cause. Many children died when Hamas rockets and missiles either misfired or when the munitions the children were moving detonated. And yes, Hamas uses young boys to move its munitions. The rule of thumb is that once they can grow pubic hair, they are old enough to carry a weapon. Until then they can be used as supply mules and as messengers. This is the reality of the Hamas, Hezbollah and ISIL military. Israel has provided corridors of safe passage and has allowed food, fuel and medical aid to enter Gaza. It has also allowed medical evacuations. This can all be proven. The claims of mass starvation are unsubstantiated. There is indeed diversion and theft of food and medicine but that is due to the corruption that was endemic in Gaza and is not because of Israel. Despite some Israeli political factions asking for parts of Gaza to be made into DMZ buffer zones, Israel has neither annexed nor taken possession of any of the Gaza land. Yes they are unfortunate casualties, and yes, many people have died. This is the outcome of a breach of a truce and mass murder, followed by the taking of hundreds of hostages who have been tortured and brutalized. The Israelis have demonstrated far greater restraint than Assad in Syria, the Houthis in Yemen and the muslim militias in Darfur. Yet, only Israel is accused of a genocide.

Nope. I expect that in some regions they are as ignorant as any American.

A small portion of basic oatmeal isn't an issue, because the fiber content slows the sugar transformation. Peas are high sugar content too, but in a limited portion and served with other high fiber foods are ok.

Yes. The regulators are going after the highly processed junk. People are best served by cooking their own oatmeal and mixing their own muesli. They can add, fruit, berry, nuts and limit the sugar content.

It is not ignorant, but a sad reflection of reality. Multiple studies demonstrate the ignorance of the typical US citizen; A survey commissioned from Gallup by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the National Geographic Society (NGS) finds that adult Americans exhibit gaps in their knowledge about geography and world affairs. Overall, respondents answered just over half of the knowledge questions correctly, and only 6 percent got at least 80 percent of the questions right. https://www.cfr.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/NatGeo_CFR_US Knoweldge.pdf

Most US citizens do not even know where their state capital is, let alone how their government is organized. I suppose when there is an erosion of intellectual capital, one must then celebrate ignorance.

It will get worse over the Christmas/New Year's period as the vehicle gridlock sets in. The amount of vehicle fumes on the 7 km stretch from Index Living Mall at soi 23 down to the Ibis hotel at the start of Takiab is enough to knock a person out. At some point it is going to impact tourism. There are some days when I have to wear a mask the particulate is so bad.

Corbyn despises Starmer. He doesn't believe him a true socialist dedicated to the "cause" of the unions. Corbyn represents much of what is wrong with the UK. A cold, miserable automaton resentful of those who succeeded and prospered. There are some who hate the late Margaret Thatcher, but she is what the UK needs now.

Quaker Maple & Brown Sugar Flavour Instant Oatmeal: It has more sugar than candy. Nutrition summary Per 1 packet (43 g) 160 190mg 2g 33g 4g Calories Sodium Dietary Fibre Sugars Protein Nutrition facts Serving size Per 1 packet (43 g) Amount per serving Calories 160 % Daily Value* Total Fat2g Sodium190mg Total Carbohydrate33g Dietary Fibre2g Sugars33g Protein4g *5% or less is a little, 15% or more is a lot

It is still 15% sugar. Here's a Nutritionist review of Aldi Premium Muesli, which I would assume would have been "healthy", but it really is not. It's just a big dose of carbs and sugar. OK if one is an active athlete who needs high carbs, but for the rest of us mortals, not needed. Muesli is fine, provided it is self made to reduce the sugars and fat. Nutrient levels Fat in high quantity (21.4%) What you need to know: A high consumption of fat, especially saturated fats, can raise cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart diseases. Recommendation: Limit the consumption of fat and saturated fat Choose products with lower fat and saturated fat content. Saturated fat in moderate quantity (2.7%) What you need to know: A high consumption of fat, especially saturated fats, can raise cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart diseases. Recommendation: Limit the consumption of fat and saturated fat Choose products with lower fat and saturated fat content. Sugars in high quantity (13.7%) What you need to know: A high consumption of sugar can cause weight gain and tooth decay. It also augments the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases. Recommendation: Limit the consumption of sugar and sugary drinks. Sugary drinks (such as sodas, fruit beverages, and fruit juices and nectars) should be limited as much as possible (no more than 1 glass a day). Choose products with lower sugar content and reduce the consumption of products with added sugars.

Your alleged wrongdoings in Gaza are an issue separate and distinct from the overt bias at the BBC. Why do you refuse to consider the documentation that supports the conclusion of bias at the BBC?