GammaGlobulin

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....

Anyway.... WD40, several doses, was tried, without success. Therefore, either use a hacksaw to cut off the head of the screw, or use a drill. In my case, the only option seems to be a drill. There is no room for a small hacksaw. The most important point is to use some solution which will not fracture the porcelain of the toilet, which is one of my concerns. I was hoping for a better solution, though....

Three on one small motorbike? Two girls on the back of a motorbike? There should be a law.

Why do UK guys insist upon wearing tie-dyed T-shirts? Such a sartorial disaster. If this guy had been wearing a decent pair of shoes, then he might not have ended up in cuffs.... Shoes make the man. What an idiot for venturing forth in such disgusting garb! Such a slovenly fool. He should be back home baling hay, or sleeping with the hogs in the barnyard. Like Tom Jones.

OK. Thank you. But, you must admit.... Sitting on a copper seat might be beautiful. Also.... IF I must pay USD100 for a decent toilet seat from HomePro....then.... I will DEFINITELY buy from Amazon, and have it sent here, even if I must pay the import tax. I will NO LONGER support local retailers that sell garbage. My new policy....

Yeah.... I know. I used to subscribe to this rag, when the Dreamliner was but yet a dream. And, it was discussed in this mag many years ago.... ================ There is a REASON why the Dreamliner can maintain a higher cabin pressure, without sacrificing longevity.... I guess you must know..... Right? ============== Anyway, this higher cabin pressure is a major advantage for long-haul flights.

The most important thing to keep in mind when flying Boeing aircraft is that ALL of the aircraft from Boeing ALWAYS have a 7. And so, they are lucky. With the Dreamliner, then you should enjoy a higher cabin pressure, of course. This should be the main advantage to choosing this aircraft for long-haul flights, since this can reduce fatigue, dehydration, etc. I am ignorant about most things. But, I am not ignorant of this important point.

By contrast... I would kick a Cartier girl out of bed! Too ANGULAR for me.... Of course, I like Cartier watches, but just do not like Cartier women, compared to Chanel girls.... Of course, I like the Cartier aviator watch.... I once had one of these. But, then.... I threw it in the Pacific Ocean, just to spite my Taiwanese GF. Now, this watch is somewhere off the east coast of Taiwan. She wasn't worth it. Neither was the watch. a. I will never again buy a Cartier wristwatch b. I will never again have a GF

This is MY idea of.... HEAVEN.... Who could ask for anything more? Far better than Trump's women, for sure....

Have you ever been paid for favors by some rich bich from NYC? Chanel N°5