ericbj

The scrapping of winter fuel payments (and much else still to be declared) can be attributed to the "Need for a Stronger Response to Russia"… After all, you cannot both keep your cake and eat it. The so-called defence industry [BAE and others] must continue to reap the whirlwind profits to which they have become accustomed since at least the commencement of The War on Terror. Priorities must be established. The fact that the hugely misled common people, including pensioners, have had next-to-no-say in establishing budget priorities, speaks volumes for the level of democracy in the UK (and elsewhere).

The Ukraine - Afghanistan - Syria. Yes, all part of the matrix. It is probable that Osama bin Laden was not directly involved in organising 9/11, but was likely familiar with those that were so involved. In interviews and speeches he has seemingly taken contradictory positions, claiming in some to have been uninvolved while elsewhere claiming responsibility. https://scholarship.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/f58d2574-bfec-4294-850e-68eb5e6b6716/content https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2004/11/1/full-transcript-of-bin-ladins-speech And: ' Tayseer Allouni of Al Jazeera conducted an interview with bin Laden on October 21, 2001. ... During the interview, Allouni had asked bin Laden for his response to the claim that he was behind the attacks on September 11. bin Laden described the hijackers as " brave guys who took the battle to the heart of America" and said that "They did this, as we understand it, and this is something we have agitated for before, as a matter of self-defense...If inciting people to do that is terrorism, and if killing those who kill our sons is terrorism, then let history be witness that we are terrorists." ' [Wikipedia] I remember viewing, years ago, a video of a speech where "Osama bin Laden" plausibly claims responsibility. The only hiccup: the speaker, made to look like bin Laden, was no true look-a-like. One supposes it to have been a piece of "intox" by some western propaganda source. Currently unable to locate the video online. Perhaps, having served its purpose, it has been removed. Syrian poison gas attacks: another propaganda coup in support of NATO bombing? https://thegrayzone.com/2023/02/03/opcw-smoking-gun-backfires/ The true state of things is difficult to determine, but to have some chance of approaching it one must look beyond mainstream media and client organisations of the financial establishment.

For those who wish to glimpse the view beyond that presented by mainstream media, one could start by studying what is said and written by Colonel Jacques Baud. He worked for NATO to help rebuild the Ukrainian Army, post the Maidan Coup, so his views are based on first-hand experience. https://www.thepostil.com/our-latest-interview-with-jacques-baud/

Does anyone have recommendations of a phlebologist or phlebology department for treating persistent varicose ulcers? Have tried three local hospitals in my area and one in Chiang Mai, and all have proven equally useless. (e.g. treatment with oral antibiotic. How the hospitals here seem to love antibiotics!) Also a problem finding suitable compression stockings. Boots' "Flight Socks" in maximum foot size not well adapted to my needs. And elastic bandages, readily available, not ideal: long to put on and difficult to hold in place, bulky when using footwear, and cannot provide differential pressure needed (reducing as one goes up).

Where can one purchase Taurus SC in Thailand? Preferably on-line, as not available locally. International shipper found will not ship to Thailand. BTW, for info: Safety Data: https://epestcontrol.com/images/Products/labels/taurus-sc-msds.pdf Label Instructions: https://epestcontrol.com/images/Products/labels/taurus-sc-label.pdf Stuff I have bought locally, and used, is Chaindrite Stedfast 30SC, cost about 900 baht /litre. I use it only as a cure (desperate measure) and preventatively poured into a crack outside around the foot of exterior walls. Details here: https://www.sherwood.co.th/msds_en/Chaindrite_Stedfast 30 SC.pdf Safety Data: https://sherwood.co.th/msds_en/Chaindrite_Stedfast_30_SC.pdf As protective treatment of new timber and wood-based materials, I treat with two coats of saturated aqueous borax solution - dissolves better in hot water - before painting or varnishing. Crystals can be purchased cheaply from Chemipan. Non-toxic. Once figured as a mouthwash in the British Pharmacopoeia. Have not tried the following. Apparently borax can be used to wipe out a termite colony. Treat cardboard with very dilute borax solution and allow to dry. Too dilute to discourage them from eating it and too dilute to kill them quickly. They must have time to return to the nest and die there. Search the Internet for the dilution required. For protection of timbers exposed to regular washing or rain, use BegerDrite or similar.

I suggest that the Government (i.e. taxpayers) is more likely to be asked to subsidise the solar energy industry in a quest fot the elusive "net-zero". Which is already costing European governments - i.e. populations - a fortune. With huge additional costs in the pipeline. Solar-generated electricity is ideal for certain circumstances and locations. But factors such as intermittency, variability of demand, storage, transmission, depreciation, and potential damage [insurance], must also be borne in mind. That said, domestic electricity demand (and bills) could be substantially reduced by more widespread use of solar water-heaters, in place of those running off the electricity mains supply. More sophisticated modern types are said to be able to function without direct sunlight. A well-insulated storage tank can keep water hot for many hours. And if the storage tank is placed above the receptor-panel, to make use of the therrmo-syphon effect, they can function without any electricity.

Unfortunately, not only NATO leaders but also most EU leaders appear to be brain dead when it comes to dealing with the US/NATO-Russian confrontation. You have only to look at the results of their policies so far. And yes, NATO countries are vulnerable to confiscation of their extensive assets in Russia. Yet seem oblivious to this fact as they continue to pursue the policies required by Biden. Or more precisely by those who are using him. Just look at the GDP of west European countries. No wonder there is political revolt brewing. And for Russian GDP annual growth rate, see here: https://tradingeconomics.com/russia/gdp-growth-annual This may also be of interest: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68823399

When Cameron denounces Starmer as "a threat to National Security" what he means is that he could represent a threat to the mountains of assets acquired by the nation's billionaire 'elites', and the golden backhanders of their facilitators. The general public is milked by a complaisant parliamentary apparatus and civil service, ever ready to engineer wars and crises to justify heavier taxes (and austerity and other restrictions) on the general population, to fuel the speculations of largely tax-exempt magnates. As regards the "defence" of the UK in far-flung countries, Starmer is as hawkish as any. He can be counted upon to continue obeying the dictates of the US "Deep State", as reflected in the policies of the US Government. And he will have to follow the guidance of The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street if he wishes to retain his "position of power". So, billionaires, rest easy on your laurels.

The article is interesting, and much of it is doubtlessly valid. But it is at the same time a propaganda piece, and, as any good propagandist knows, verifiable information must be included with falsehood. War is war. The US and NATO sought, for a number of years, to provoke Russia into a conflict with the Ukraine. Believing, nonetheless, that the Ukraine would be crushed in short order. The Ukraine was to be sacrificed for NATO's objective of justifying massive economic sanctions based upon 'Russian aggression'. The US/NATO goal was Russia's economic and political collapse. But their projections seem to be proving faulty as regards this end-result. Who is to blame for the prolonged bloodshed and destruction? And the refusal to negotiate a settlement? I guess most people have heard of the Gladio operations. They and similar atrocities are history. But those responsible in US Naval Intelligence and the CIA have never been held to account. So what are these organisations up to today? People who believe Russia blew up the Nord Stream Pipelines, as implied in the article, have never examined the available evidence. Or prefer to blinker their thinking.

My recollection is that Thaksin called off the killing spree after being rebuked by higher authority. That much was made publicly known by either 'The Nation' or 'The Bangkok Post'.

Thaksin himself, when in power, did not tout democracy. To quote him (from memory): "Democracy is like a Rolls-Royce. The Thai people do not need a Rolls-Royce. They need a utility vehicle." So, in this respect, he is consistent.

This man should have been tried long ago for ordering the extra-judicial killing (murder) of thousands of alleged "drug dealers".

https://franklegaltax.com/legal-regulations-and-tax-implications-of-cryptocurrencies/ Seems from this page that you would likely be liable for personal income tax on the capital gain. A potential problem for you if you cannot prove the gain and the transaction goes through your Thai bank account. I suggest enquiring with the web-site authors, Frank Legal & Tax. And let us know what they say

https://www.neuralword.com/en/article/extracting-slime-from-snails-a-step-by-step-guide

NATO sought, and finally achieved, a military intervention by Russia. Finally? Yes, Putin was under growing pressure from the electorate to take action to halt the ongoing eight-year massacre of the majority Russian-speaking civilian population of the Eastern Ukraine. Beginning with the massacres at Odessa (well-documented, albeit not by western MSM) and Mariupol (not well-documented). NATO military analysts expected the war to be won by Russia, within a matter of weeks. This proved not to be the case. Because of the courageous and extremely stubborn Ukrainian resistance; and its possession of advanced man-portable A.T. and A.A. weaponry. And thanks to Russian miscalculations, based in part upon faulty intelligence. So why did NATO seek this proxy war with Russia? This was to be another Malaysian-Airliner-type incident, of the kind that persuaded a hitherto reluctant EU to impose economic sanctions on Russia. Sanctions, it was calculated, would eventually cause the collapse of Russia; its return to a Yeltsin-style administration favourable to western economic exploitation; and a break-up of the Russian Federation into multiple, manageable fragments. Unfortunately for the U.S. and its NATO satellites, the warmongering policy-makers got their sums wrong. Other aspects of NATO's economic warfare (exclusion from SWIFT, seizure of dollar reserves, etc.) have been a wake-up call, to countries otherwise unconcerned with the war, of what could potentially befall them. Unless they took pre-emptive measures. If NATO wanted peace in the Ukraine, why did they send Boris Johnson to Kiev to torpedo the Ukraine-Russia peace talks of March 2022?

Hedge your reserves with a decent proportion in gold bullion and gold royalty and streaming companies. But beware of cashing out at the moment of a financial crash because, historically, gold also - temporarily - crashes then, as holders cash out to meet debts.

https://nypost.com/2024/05/16/us-news/nih-director-admits-taxpayers-funded-gain-of-function-research-in-wuhan-four-years-after-covid-pandemic-began/

While not sharing all of Farage's opinions, nor the manner in which he sometimes expresses himself, if he manages to electrify a largely moribund House of Commons, by bringing critical issues into public debate, that would be a worthwhile outcome of him being elected. The possibility of him dividing electors for this party or that raises the question of whether a first-past-the-post voting system provides a government that is most representative of public opinion.

Clearly there are irreconcilable differences of opinion concerning Dr Fauci. However there are TWO aspects to his potential culpability. This article touches upon one of them, not much considered as yet on this forum: https://www.foxnews.com/media/rand-paul-says-fauci-caught-lies-congress-coronavirus-research-dead-rights

Apologies to those of limited attention span.

Thanks. Done ! I commonly copy/paste from my text editor, NoteTab Pro. But on this occasion from the word-processor of Libre Office. The latter reproduces the same large typeface I use to be able to see what I am typing more clearly. NoteTab always copies a standard size irrespective of the font size on screen.

A perspective on the issue and some comments pertaining thereto: 1. The woman's decision to emigrate to Thailand twenty years ago seems based upon re-joining family members. A quite natural motive. Her son was then aged 45. He seems to be contributing at least as much to her upkeep as the UK Pensions Service. Which, with his increasing age, a family to support, and economic downturns, is likely becoming increasingly burdensome. 2. What evidence exists, as alleged in a comment, of the son operating an illegal business? I.e. that it is not at least 51% Thai-owned. If unfounded, this statement could constitute a libel; and perjury if claimed in a criminal hearing. 3. The suggestion she may not have paid NI contributions is unsubstantiated; and besides the point if she is entitled on the basis of payments made by another. 4. It is true that many Thai workers and their families can subsist on less than this woman. But they are part of a network of relationships. Which includes expanding Thai Government social services, including healthcare. For example, go to a Thai public hospital for an eye operation. An expatriate will not have it for the price a Thai person pays. 5. Global economic circumstances have changed radically and unpredictably over the past 2 to 3 decades. And are changing ever more rapidly now. Who can foresee today what the world will be like in 2044? 6. The Thai economy and Thai regulations, both in substance and application, have dramatically altered over recent decades. 7. Not every retiree fits neatly into one of two categories: Those who plan the move in every last financial detail, down to their final demise; and Those who throw caution to the wind and come out on a whim, full of blue-eyed optimism. My personal experience - not typical - but there are doubtlessly many untypical cases: Came six months, unpaid, in each of a dozen years helping refugees (mostly genuine) improve their English with a view to resettlement in "western" countries. Discontinued this, but continued coming as result of relationships developed here. Because of changes to tourist visa (more limited duration), switched to O-A retirement visa. Changes to O-A visa (health insurance with one of 8 listed companies) forced change to O visa for retirement). Returned here late 2019. Due back in Europe mid-May. But the plandemic strikes. Return flight cancelled. Book seat on another flight. Flight cancelled. Book again. Third time lucky? No! Flight cancelled. From the next day, 1st July 2020, all international passenger-flights banned, and borders closed. When finally the sanctions are lifted (thanks to the damage caused to the world's second largest tourist economy) the deterioration of my health renders the return journey unthinkable, not least because of the physical and administrative challenges to be confronted on arrival. My impression of immigration policy as currently being drafted by the Thai Cabinet is that it favours short-term tourism where visitors come for several weeks, and spend much of their annual savings in the process. They seem to be less interested in retirees, unless these happen to be extremely well-heeled. The politicians may be missing the point that short-term tourism is volatile. When times are good, it booms. When a depression sets in, hardly anyone comes. You only have to look back to 2008 and its aftermath to see this. Retirees, on the other hand, make a less obvious but substantial commitment to the overall economy rather than to the tourist economy. They are here, as a rule, for the long term. It is not easy to up stumps and depart at short notice. Except upon death. And then some at least of their assets may remain in Thailand. There is a case for both types of visitor.

See here for Miron Glass containers : https://www.mironglass.com/glass

Adults should have the option of taking risks that could harm themselves. But not the right of taking risks that could harm others. In the event that there is evidence that they are doing the latter - e.g. by driving erratically under the influence - they might be legally forbidden to take the particular drug, whatever it might be. As well as any other penalty as may be appropriate. The former would of course be unenforceable. But then, in the case of recidivism, they could be very heavily penalised.

Absolutely. Just one example: Hydroxychloroquin, purchased by tourists leaving for malaria-infested parts, was available as an OTC (Over-The-Counter) drug. Until Professor Raoult showed that it could be re-purposed for use against a recently widespread infection that caused much hyped-up alarm. (So long as the infection was not at an advanced stage). Professor Raoult was lampooned by officialdom and the MSM. And the French government promptly banned not only OTC sales but GPs were forbidden to prescribe it. Its use is now only permitted in hospitals. Tourists with malaria be damned. But governments - not only in 'the West' - are also increasingly intent upon controlling our private lives [back-up your data to "The Cloud" etc.], our opinions, and our money [through CBDCs]