expat_4_life

To be perfectly honest ... I stock up for bans. However this has an unintended side-effect ... as I always drink up everything in the house Day after the bans is for recovery

They love to bang on about encouraging domestic tourism during these extended weekends, but FAIL to relieve the public of tolls on the very day that most people would like to return, the two Mondays. Not well thought through ... but then TiT

I would like to add that the Middle East of the first Trump Presidency no longer exists. China brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Russia moving closer to Iran and Syria. Houthis effectively closed the Red Sea. Russia and China closer than ever. Iran and North Korea both brought in from "the cold" by Russia and China. Turkey hedging it's bets. BRICS on the rise in a geopolitical realignment. Adding full members, which include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates effective 1 January, 2024. And another summit coming in Oct before the election with around 40 countries clamoring to join. Both Gaza and Ukraine wars must be brought to settlements. This is all linked ... Rough times ahead.

Official sales of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited from midnight on Friday, July 19th, 2024, until midnight on Sunday, July 21st, 2024. Mom and Pop shops will be doing good trade this weekend

I never mentioned "cheese burger" .... check your "post editing" skills. Oh, and maybe wash those @GreasyFingers

450 to 690 Baht for one of my favorite meals at a restaurant in BKK ... quality not compromised but the price is up over 50% since COVID. ☹️ Was in another restaurant I frequent in the provinces over the weekend - price unchanged but the quality seemed to have slipped. Shrinkflation on cheap snacks is noticeable everywhere. Mix of less quality/quantity and increased price is my observation. Companies and different venues seem to take all approaches to the problem. Doing more home cooking these days and visiting new venues - not everyone can absorb the price increases

It can get pretty brutal on AN, don't ya know? Perhaps you should seek a safe space or get a helmet ...

Rarely all day, but don't have to rise if not in the mood.

Wild speculation in this thread about phishing scams. We should all be diligent as these types of scams are not uncommon. OP has contacted Wise directly and confirmed that this is authentic.

Pretty weak, Russia has new allies notably China. Has Russia collapsed under the weight of western sanctions yet, or is it any day now? According the the World Bank Russian GDP is forecast to grow. How exactly is Russia doomed? Is it economically, politically, or is the west going to conquer Russia?

I would suggest that the US, rather than "let go/slip" has abused their power. sanctions everywhere, endless wars and destruction in their wake, you name it. Meanwhile they seem unable to grasp that the world has changed since their rise to the uni-polar moment and fail to recognize the shifting sands. In the old cold war days the US knew how to use soft power and tread more delicately using diplomacy. Russia and China in ascendance with many in the global south along for the ride. New global institutions are being inexorably established and growing in influence. For example, the rise of BRICS and the SCO, many Nations are clamoring to join, and the shift from US dominance is impossible to ignore. The Uni-polar moment is gone. The sooner the west recognizes this and moves to act accordingly the better. I'm not holding my breath, things will get worse before they have any chance of getting better.

Dr Jill has no intention of letting president Biden "Go Gentle into That Good Night" ... of course not

For anyone in Bangkok looking to get out and celebrate the occasion, many venues are hosting special events. Enjoy 🎆🌭🍔🍻 https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/th/news/fourth-of-july-in-bangkok-events-american-bbq-hot-dogs-parties/

If you're in Bangkok, this is a good cafe starter list. https://nomadflag.com/best-cafe-bangkok/ There are also more formal coworking spaces. https://www.xyzlab.com/post/coworking-spaces-bangkok Good luck finding something

I'm going with "A Stitch-up at the Tailor" Of course she dint do nuthin 😁

I've bought components from them and if you're in the process of assembling a new rig and buy the components there they will assemble it for you free of charge. Go grab a coffee and wait, not more than an hour or so. Used them to do exactly that 3 times in the last 10 years. Last time I was in there tho, they would not install a fully legit copy of Windows I had on a USB, would only do purchased software. So returned home and installed it myself. I find them very reputable.

I'm old enough to recall when they thought a good beheading would do 😱 dangerously deranged and radicalized politics 🙈

Bro, didn't you ever get taught Civics, like in the 3rd grade? Maybe you're not an American? The president does not appoint judges to the Supreme court, he submits nominees for confirmation by the Senate. There is nothing "single-handedy" about it. Nice rant!

I too had a parasailing adventure gone wrong in Pattaya decades ago. Thought I was going to drown, close call. After becoming initially airborne the speed boat driver slowed due to an obstacle in the water. I was dropped and dragged through the water, encumbered by the attached parachute, unable to get a breath. Time slowed, felt like forever. I still remember it very vividly, terrifying. Never did it again, always recommend against it. Be safe out there

Thailand had legislation allowing medical use well before 2022, when the law was changed again. I have not seen any call for eliminating the use for medical purposes. It is actually a debate about recreational use and the fallout of the 2022 legislation. Don't see that this article has anything to do with the current debate.

I suspect you are referring to LASIK surgery Monovision LASIK is a specialized technique in LASIK surgery to reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses. Monovision LASIK works by correcting one eye for emmetropia (distance) and the other eye for myopia (near vision). To quantify the risks involved - The intraoperative complication rate of Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has been reported to be in between 0.7-6.6%. For reference visit LASIK Complications

Personally, I'd go with cheater glasses if the other option is eye surgery. The corrective surgeries are commonplace and generally successful. That does not mean however that corrective surgery is without risk. You'll get used to the glasses. Good luck whatever you decide

I'd swipe your rolex real or fake on the off chance it is genuine. Everyone deserves to win the lottery once

Send him over to climb my wall (without a ladder) as punishment

There is much to be learned from the Thais - the winning lottery number is hidden in the Topic Number 1330953 🤦‍♂️ Thank me later and buy me a beer 🍻