GammaGlobulin

I always feel sad and nostalgic when I recall the many train rides of my youth which I have enjoyed while travelling to and from schools, on the dilapidated Long Island Railroad, or on The Main Line, or up and down, along the western and eastern coasts of Taiwan, way before they had the new trains with AC. Those were the days when trains were trains, when you could smell the smells of the roadbed, and not feel so isolated from the world outside, as one passed through it. Also, on the Taiwan railway lines, the doorway of the car at the end of the train was completely open, with only a sagging chain to hold one back from falling out. And, one could drink as many cans/bottles of Taiwan beer as one wished, standing back there. And, one could urinate out the back, too, which provided a wonderful sense of freedom. You could put 24 cans of Taiwan Beer in your bag, and then finish most of it on the way from Tainan to Taipei, a trip that night take over 5 or 6 hours, beginning at dusk. There was so much more FREEDOM, back then, that you just wouldn't believe.... The most romantic train song on this sad list might be this one: But still, when singing about Trains and FREEDOM....then....I prefer this old standby (I am talkin' the Freedom of the Underground Railroad, here....):

I think most Thai people do not become offended if Farang show no interest or inclination to learn Thai. Why is this? a. Most Thai believe that Farang are not smart enough to learn passa Thai. b. Most of the Farang Thai see in Thailand are, in their opinion, way too old to learn passa Thai, maybe...

Kicking a Chinese lady? This is NOT Shanghai! And, this is not the Swiss Concession in Shanghai, either! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_International_Settlement I guess people in Thailand, or at least very few of them, can accept extraterritoriality....these days....maybe.... it's a nice concept, maybe, but hard to find in these post-colonial days....

This Songkran, I will keep the outside gate padlocked. Nobody can hit me from the road, without a catapult. No way am I venturing forth during the next few days, until maybe the 16th. It's too hot to go anywhere, this year. I have very fast internet, and a few computers. Also, I plan on returning to OpenSuSE Leap (Leap 15.6 when it is released in June of this year), and so I think I will just enjoy reading about how OpenSUSE Leap has improved since release 15.1, which is something that I always find quite engrossing. I plan on dumping WIN OS, for good, in favor of migrating to 100-percent Linux Desktop (SUSE LEAP), next week, when I finish building my next Desktop, which will be after I purchase a case for it. There is much for me to do inside my compound. Why go forth and sweat? Why go forth and be doused? I have never seen the Songkran road parties, in fact. I am more into the quiet/cultural activities, when I am invited....(but not this year, I think.) Wishing all a very healthy and happy Songkran Holiday, and a prosperous New Year. Regards, Gamma

On the Samsung; the AC indoor unit seems to have a function for drying the inside of case, and internal parts, which can become corroded when moisture invades certain components, or the casing, it seems. The only thing that I would question is: If you are running your AC 24/7/365, as do I, then would there be any down-time when this cleaning function might be able to work? My guess is NO. When the AC is running 24/7 there is always air being blown through the indoor evaporator unit, and this should be sufficient to keep it dry enough to prevent much condensation. Just my guess. In the past, I have had MUCHO Problems with Samsung ACs. Yes, I know that people in some Asian countries like them, maybe because they are cheap. But, I would rather pay more for HIGH Efficiency, and quickly make that money back on lower electric bills, than save money by buying a cheap Samsung. What I really need is a very light-weight and sexy Thai woman to stand on my tables to clean the filters on my ACs. If I tried this myself, the tables might come crashing down. The computer tables I built can stand up to about 100 Kg of downward force. But, after breaking my toilet seat, I just do not want to have something else break in my house. (That self-cleaning Samsung function will NOT clean the filters. You should investigate hiring a light-weight Thai woman, is my advice.)

Well, say the old Farang has a large piece of titanium inside him: Would this be worth anything to the mourners, after the flesh was cooked away?

I had no idea just how appalling was this assault until watching the video of the event. a. First, the Swiss Guy kicks two seated women who have done absolutely NOTHING. b. Then screams at them to get the F off! c. I have lived in Asia for 45 years. And, my first visit to Thailand was in 1971. And, I have NEVER seen such an egregious and unprovoked attack on an Asian woman, perpetrated by a Farang man, and also a woman who was unknown to the Farang man. d. The Swiss Guy is a guest in a foreign land. What a mindset this Swiss Guy must have. He VERY OBVIOUSLY seems to believe that he is on a higher "level" than the rest of humanity. e. This Swiss Guy can NEVER feel remorse for his attack. Feelings of remorse are just not part of his personality. The only correct thing to be done is to prosecute to the MAXIMUM EXTENT of Thai law. And, for all who know about this attack to support the woman who was attacked in such a degrading way. I really feel sorry for these women. Imagine if one of those women was your mother, your daughter, or your wife???? If something like this happened in Naples, Florida, where steps often lead to the beach from magnificent multi-million-dollar villas, the Naples police would arrest the perp, and he could be sued for millions, and millions, besides serving jail time. These women were defenseless against the Swiss Brute-of-a-Man. Shameful! Dithpicable, too!

What are the conditions of a pauper burial in Thailand? a. Will the location be completely lost and forgotten? b. Will this be a bass burial? For example, do all the pauper-bodies dying in any given week get buried together? c. In Thailand, do people ever come to pray over the buried paupers? d. Any other interesting facts about the pauper burial sites in Thailand that one should know about?

If I wanted to be safe from WW3, then I would choose the USA, for safety, if I had money. There are many good salt mines left after mining operations have been completed. These remain very dry, and at a healthy temperature. There is almost ZERO groundwater leakage, or leakage of any kind, from the surface. Some salt mines are HUGE and there would be no need to live out one's final years, both lonely and claustrophobically.... This one has an Amazing Open-Floor Plan: I could be happy in a Salt Mine, provided I could bring along a female dentist, a Thai cook, and a Chinese concubine. No Joke! If I had the money, I would buy a salt mine, and refurbish it in style. Things can last, as new, almost forever, in a Salt Mine! Safest place on Earth, during a WW3-induced Armageddon!

Important Addendum: Let us say that the old Farang in question has ZERO friends, and has made ZERO preparations, and that there are Zero relatives willing to become involved: Then.... What is likely to happen? Note Two: Will there be a post mortem, and is this enforced? Note Three: Can the DIY Document left behind by the old Farang state that any earthly belongings be given to an "acquaintance", and will this DIY Document's contents be respected and adhered to? (Or, will the meagre belongings left behind by the old Farang be sold or trashed or donated to the Temple?) Still very inquisitive concerning these points...am I...!

Better to speak English AND Chinese AND Thai, IMHO, beyond the basics. And, yes... An understanding of everyday passa Thai is pretty much a MUST for people who are not tourists, or who do not live in Pattaya, or BKK. The people I meet often are able to speak very little English, like almost NO English....so then.... How would you communicate with them if you are unable to speak, AND READ, passa Thai? Yes. Necessary. Very Necessary, IMHO.

Would it be somehow better for an old Farang to die in Thailand having made ZERO preparations? For example, if an old Farang were to die with few assets in Thailand, having chosen to keep all/any personal assets safe in the Home Country, then what would happen? Would this be the best strategy, in fact? What about if the Farang just kept a simple DIY Document, stating the preference to be cremated in a local Temple of the Farang's Choice? Would anyone respect His wishes? Or, what would actually happen. I have just read that the Farng's home-country embassy must be contacted. But, I doubt that the Farang's embassy will arrange some sort of elaborate and expensive funeral procession with tons of flowers, and chanting guys walking behind, and wailing women white sackcloth, with children ahead strewing rose-petals, and big drums banging away, and fireworks overhead. No embassy would spend the money for the average Farang. And, so would the Farang just be burned in an oven, and then what might happen to the ashes? Would they just be left in the oven, to fuel the next cremation? It seems to me that making no provisions might be best. Some suspense might even be the result of zero preparations. And, might it also be the absolute cheapest option? Of course, the Farang would not know the difference, not matter what circumstances might eventually evolve. My guess is that when a Farang dies with zero preparations, and few family members in the Home Country, then the Farang might receive more tender loving care than if the same thing happened to said Farang in his/her Home country. Anyway, it's something to think about....maybe.... Regards, And inquisitive, as ever, Gamma

Agree! Copper Crapper, not plastic, is the only way to go....in the future... For me, obviously.

I thought he meant struggling with the heat. These days, at least this week, it's been hotter, for a longer-stretch, than I can recall in the recent past. Everyday, over 40 degrees C. And, the hottest part of the day comes at around 5:00 PM. When the temps stop at 38 degrees, I am able to go out and walk a few kilometers in the noon-day sun, without a hat, and feel cool as a cucumber. But, recently, the weather has been so hot that if I were to try this trick this month, I might keel over. So....the only recourse is for me to remain inside with the ACs going full blast. I get the temp inside down to about 21 or 20 degrees C, and just gaze outdoors in disgust at the heat and smoke. Still, I would NOT say that I am struggling. I would say that I am doing fine! I feel walled up in my compound, where I am safe, secure, and not struggling to breathe. I like it like this, when this happens, about once each year. No problemo....

Seems to me as if this guy has not had much experience with Asian squat toilets in the past. No wonder, really, simply because....when one is very top-heavy... Squat toilets put great strain on one's thigh muscles and knee joints. On occasion, when one is this top-heavy, one tends to topple over before consummating the act.

I agree 100 percent. Very sad. Also, it is possible to see from the bottom photo that the Security Guard is doing his best to help a fellow human being who is in mental distress, and obviously disoriented. This should be completely obvious to anyone.

Yes. You are correct. This guy should not be an object of ridicule and revulsion Rather, he needs both sympathy and therapy. I would suggest the Freudian therapeutic approach, for starters. Then, move on to electroshock therapy, or maybe insulin shock therapy. Followed by: An ankle cuff and chain bolted somewhere less conspicuous. For sure, he requires a full mental workup, just to see what's going on.

I recall the very MAJOR earthquake in Taiwan, in 1999, a 7.7 with epicenter in NanTou... It knocked out our power in Taipei for a few months, except for sporadic power provided at odd times. That was a major quake. When it hit, all power was cut, all communication was cut. The building rocked and rocked for what seemed like over a minute. That quake was completely devastating. =============== There will be MANY and very SIGNIFICANT after-quakes for at least the next month. In Taiwan, minor quakes happen routinely. Sometimes, they just rock you to sleep. I know a LOT about Taiwan. And, this is the reason I don't want to return. The people of Taiwan have destroyed their Isle Formosa due to the many environmentally poor decisions they have taken during the past many years. HOPE TSMC in HsinChu is still OK, though..... We love our chips! ================= Eat, Drink, Man, Woman Great Film Great Taiwanese Director.

Agree... 100 Percent. I will not buy from Thailand retailers, in the future. I can buy from Japan, and I want to.....!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big Time!

Poor quality plastics. Yes. Be careful, even if you might be of normal weight.

I saw this happen in Singapore, the first time. 1971, and in the Malacca Strait. Some native stood on the toilet seat, instead of sitting on it. I was completely nonplussed by her antics. Anyway.... When in Rome..... ------------- At least they knew where to wash their feet....of course.....

Obviously, the guys that used this toilet before me had very acidic piss, probably. That is alliteration, something you say that AI is incapable of, though I disaagree.

If I were you, I would go to the BKK airport, and hold a large sign in my hand which states: "I WILL PAY YOU DOUBLE THE EXCHANGE-RATE FOR ANY and ALL AMERICAN COINS" Just take a very large bucket with you. My guess is that, within a 24 hour period, you will be able to fill up you bucket. If one bucket of American Coinage is not sufficient, .... Then just go back the next day. You will be able to get over a ton of American coins within one month, is my guess.

It's either that or just drill through the head of the screw, which might be a safer option, not to crack the porcelain....maybe... The screw head seems to be of some sort of cheap brass, or something... American Standard crappola, produced about 30 years ago, i would imagine. Not a bad toilet. Just that the brass fittings are corroded, which should not happen. Totally fused, is the screw.

If I were you, I would just go to the BKK airports, and ask anyone that appears to be an American,... For spare change. Most Americans will be happy to provide you with any USA coins in their pockets. But, if your Thai wife is hoping for any special American coins, then this might not work. Who knows... Someone might even give you a Buffalo Nickel.... I used to collect these when I was very young, and when they were still in circulation. You might also ask for a silver dollar, too.... I also collected these Liberty silver dollars when they were in circulation, a long time ago. I would say that the more recent American coinage is of little interest. There is no doubt that you can buy American coins for cheap, in BKK, if the coins are of low quality, and not in mint condition. Or, maybe you can check Amazon. Amazon has rolls of coins, probably. Or, Ebay. So, as you can see, the much cheaper way is to just go the BKK airport, and ask a few Americans for spare change: Americans are used to being asked for money from almost anyone on the street in America....