KhunLA

Didn't read the thread, probably already stated, but at 69 yrs old, dying isn't untimely IMHO. Meets or exceeds the average life span for most born in 1953/54/55. R I P

Read into it what you want, I'll hold my opinion... But Musk & X, now has free speech, to a point, and no longer the propaganda machine it was once used as. Nice to know there is still some investigative reporting going on. From Reuters (first 3 paragraphs) .... "At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. military launched a secret campaign to counter what it perceived as China’s growing influence in the Philippines, a nation hit especially hard by the deadly virus. The clandestine operation has not been previously reported. It aimed to sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and other life-saving aid that was being supplied by China, a Reuters investigation found. Through phony internet accounts meant to impersonate Filipinos, the military’s propaganda efforts morphed into an anti-vax campaign. Social media posts decried the quality of face masks, test kits and the first vaccine that would become available in the Philippines – China’s Sinovac inoculation. Reuters identified at least 300 accounts on X, formerly Twitter, that matched descriptions shared by former U.S. military officials familiar with the Philippines operation. Almost all were created in the summer of 2020 and centered on the slogan #Chinaangvirus – Tagalog for China is the virus."

Buddy lived at Khao Lak, and could dive for free, as his buddy owned a dive shop. He didn't bother, as we have same mind set, after diving elsewhere .. TH is not 'world class', just OK, a few spots. Me, mostly S. FL/Keys/Bahamas, Yucatan & Caribbean Sea, Him, more worldly since owning sailboat in days past. Said Red Sea was one of, if not, the best diving he's done. Able to dive for free, when ever wanting, and didn't bother ... all a bit telling. Only people that think diving is world class in TH are novice, and dive shop owners I was really fortunate to work for the airlines. Last 10 years, I only worked 8 days a month, and abused the hell out of the flight bennies. Before 9/11 and all the TSA BS, and getting to the gate took only the time to walk there, instead of 2-3 hours. Plus as an employee, we bypassed most of the security anyway. BLISS

For me ... I'm to lazy to deal with the hassle of air travel, or the expensive. Especially for another SEA country. Guessing same same, and just a wee bit different. I still finds things interesting here, First places out of TH, if ever, would be CH, RU, Switzerland, maybe Belize, Costa Rico & Cuba. Can't see that happening, and don't think about. I'm traveled out, long distance/international. I won't even go back to Laos. Or bother with Cambo or Nam.

Should put this in 'Why Thailand ?', but that will die a forum death. Same as here I guess. Comfy room which included brekkie ... OJ, mini croissants/pound cake, salmon omelet, shrimp bisque, fruit. Coffee offered but already had. ฿1000 / $27 USD, which would probably get you the brekkie, for 1 person in USA, IF lucky.

Grand Hotel (1999), thankfully only 1 night. What a dump back then, not sure what it's like now. Overnighted, than straight to Phuket the next day, for a pleasant long week. A few days of diving and chillin' out. Stayed at Patong Tower, was all timeshared I think, and a trade from mine in USA. Didn't realize at the time hotels were so inexpensive here, and not the wisest idea. Though had weeks of, and it was use them or lose them. Worked for an airlines, so the trip (air & hotel) cost next to nothing. I bought inexpensive drones that cost more Came back the next year, and basically stayed

Photo credit: wife 😎

To the title ... yes Have had excellent adjustments, both USA & TH

The usual, as rarely are we waiting for the car to get to 95%. Car is usually there, and we're still not ready to head out. As mentioned, pulled in, plugged in, dog & myself off for stroll, return, she's in the car, my turn to P, then wife & myself, stroll the vendors, hit 7-11, then she decides to P. BYD pulls in and we're more than ready, and just waiting for wife to return.

yes

Another one at Loei, # 2016, from 210 to 21, and very nice. Keep on, keeping on 21 - 2014 N (Dan Sai) to 2013 to Nakhon Thai.

That's why we took advantage of the 240k when offered, 2+ yrs ago, and not knowing how long it would last, or be extended. Hindsight ... luckily wouldn't have done anything different. Though the ZS did go on sale a few times, for 80-130k off, but only recently. Which would have meant more depreciation of the ICEV before selling, and 20 months of petrol saving lost, so all a bit of a wash, and got to drive a better performing vehicle.

Yay

Her siblings (8) are mostly retired, she was the baby, with a 25-30 gap to the oldest. Moved out of the village when 20+, so they would have been not help. Great family.

Hwy 2016, between 2216 and 2250, which we drove after leaving Khao Kho, Phetchabun to Loei, Actually we went to Nong Bua LamPhu, but you'll hit Loei first. If in the neighborhood, worth taking, and very scenic.

About some silly stuff, as many embassies don't even issue letters any more, THANKFULLY. I was pissed when TH stopped accepting letters, and even more so, when USA wouldn't issue a proper one. Now I'm glad, as I save $50 a year, for nothing but a scam that it was.

NO ... she's an orphan, and parents dead when she was around 4 or 5 yrs old ... 😎 I would never give parents or anyone money. Wouldn't do it in USA, sure wouldn't do it here.

Walk dog ... ✔️ Service wife ... ✔️ OK, now what to do ?

Yes

Wonder what the breakdown is on professional beggars vs down & out beggars.

yes, and what I use for extensions @ HH

Daughter's experience w/BYD may confirm that, as sales rep, looking at her numbers stated should be no problem, but was denied, after a couple weeks, and surprised both of them. Added her BF to the mix, he's in banking, and one day approval. The company she worked for, only submitted her 1 contract, which she had 2 of, so not sure if BF, helped, or they finally got the paperwork right.

Works also, even if just a 30 - 1 hr stroll after eating, especially simple carb, as digest/burn fast. This guy on TikTok did lots of blood sugar testing with food, when, what & how. Eating order (wrong): Right order: Pretty cool & informative, though he stopped, I think, but vids are there: https://www.tiktok.com/@insulinresistant1?lang=en

Yes, depends on the carb, how & when eaten. Best to eat the bad carbs (non high fiber) after (along with) fats & protein. Eat your fiber, fat/protein, then heavy starch/sugar carbs last.

Damn, got educated and still with you ... bless her little heart ❤️ 👍 1st Thai wife, 11 weeks after meeting, married, 6 months commuting, though in TH more than USA, then 6 months later realized ... 'how stupid are you ?' Got divorced, though still lived together for a while after. Finally chucked her butt out. Year or so later sold the house, kept the proceeds, (she wasn't involved) POA is a beautiful thing. The rest is history