KhunLA

Before I was so 'worldly', I thought Hawaii (HNL- north shore) & S. FL were amazing (80s). Coming from Philly, PA metro, NJ shores, DE / Rehoboth, that's easy to understand. Then I got dive certified, and discovered, FL Keys, Cozumel, Bahamas, Caymans, Puerto Rico, St Martin (90s), and that was my playground for about a decade, before coming here. Only coming to Thailand for a dive trip (Phuket & PP), and was a bit disappointed. Nice, but WC - NO. TBH, did little research (none) beforehand. As stated elsewhere, it was fluke coming here. If not having weeks of timeshare to burn & worked for airlines, then now way. Only knew about cheap women & suits that co-workers told me about, and really had no interest in coming here for either. Not sure they actually believed in the suit thingy, just what they told their wives, as I was never impressed, and hope they really didn't think those rags were quality. Although, revisiting those places, images online, I don't recognize any of them any more. 30 yrs of 'development' hasn't been kind anywhere.

The robot welding is quite impressive, but then you see a lot of bits, 'snapping' in place. I'm sure they're securely tightened and all before it rolls off the line. Just not something I'd want to be in, if taking a decent hit. Like how they all get a little test drive after coming off the line. They are produced to just knock around town. Do wish they got some kind of govt incentive here, as they, Wuling & POCCO (฿500k range) both sell for 2X the Chinese price. And not exactly spec heavy. https://www.autofun.co.th/news/เทียบสเปคกันชัด-ๆ-pocco-mm-vs-wuling-mini-ev-เจ้าจิ๋วคันไหนครองใจคุณ-37641 Definitely a step up from e-motorcycle, considering rain, or the extreme inexpensive tinker cars, with lead acid batteries for half price, the line of IMIO Mini EVs: https://pantip.com/topic/41327871 Especially when you have the Neta V hitting the market in the ฿600k range. Seems silly not to spring for the extra 100 or 200k more. If the Wuling meets your needs, and 200k more is a stretch, then it works fine.

Tinker Car assembly line ... impressive & scary, all at the same time ... ???? SAIC-GM-Wuling (฿400k range):

10 years running, and school breaks were Sept-mid Oct & Mar, Apri, mid May. We went to Phuket every year during both breaks, and we were in the surf and never a problem and quite nice. Our experiences anyway. Better during high season of course. Wouldn't recommend late May to Sept, as hear, read, it's a bit rough. Never an option, due to school.

What state do you live in ?

It's a good 6 months, if not more, on Phuket (Oct - May), as I've been there at the extreme ends of, and quite nice. During covid, went a few times, during high season, and amazingly nice, and I'm hard to impress. During covid only, as way too crowded Oct & May for us, pre-covid, and why we avoided the past 10 ish years. We were sometimes the only people on the beach, pristine, or maybe 10 people, for a busy day, 2020/21. Other times, past 12 ish year, stayed with Gulf beaches, and yes, a level or 10 below pristine Andaman Sea, but trade off, very few tourist. And I'm not talking Hua Hin, Samui or Patts, as you couldn't give me free accommodations to holiday there. Gulf surf is iffy at best, about going in. Ban Krut & Thung Wua Laen have been consistently good though. Thankfully not the easiest to access without own transport, so fairly tourist free. Local beach, just OK, midweek, < 8 kms away. If surf not cooperating, nice just to chill in the shade.

I was still playing teenager, first 5 yrs here (45-50 yrs old). Doubt if my family & friends would recognize me now ... "who are you, and what have you done with LA" ????

What are you using to check BP with. I had one of those smart watches/bands, and it was consistent off by 20 / BP. At docs & hospital, whether auto machine or nurse pumping to check BP, it's always fairly consistent. Also, when taken at hospital. If as soon as you enter, then sure to be higher. Rest for 15 minutes, and it will drop. May be why at home, it's lower, as you're at rest when taking a reading. Had mine done yesterday, and a little high, but I had just had my morning coffee, and no rest, as taken immediately on entry to the clinic. Sure it would have been 10-20 less if rested without the coffee (12 oz or strong coffee)

Hell no ... you'll rarely see me recommend any place I like, that I think will then be visited by tourist, and ruined. After 20+ years, I've seen my 'recommendation' either go down hill, or not available afterwards. Keep the good stuff to myself. With that ... slight edit needed. If holidaying 'off season', don't expect expect peak season pristine conditions. That uncommon common sense again.

Is that the equivalent of the 'golden parachute' in the corporate world, for those on their way out ????

If that much of an issue, simply scratch the unfulfilling surfside holiday, and chill out in one of the lovely streams hillside. Just chillin' with the fishies & my Yeti w/Kopper craft beer.

About average, compared worldwide. Ballpark idea: https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_by_country.jsp?title=2021

I think I've had those, mid life crisis, after every relationship (5) ended. Lasted anywhere between 12-24 hours ????

If I was in the USA, Medicare Plan B cost about $170 Does not cover Tetanus shot, unless required due to an injury. Add on Plan D, may cover it, that $10 more a month So to cover a < $10 vaccine, I need $180 monthly premium ... ???? Not sure that covers the Doctor's visit cost at 100 % Been on SS retirement for 18 months, would have paid $3240, so about ฿110k for 18 months of coverage, and this is the first time, I think, that I've need, voluntary at that, to see a doc since. Medicare would cost ฿73,440 a year for decent coverage. Probably the cheapest medical insurance in the USA, and very limited for your choice of places that accept it. Not your top docs or hospitals. NO THANKS Been here 22 yrs, do the math, I can't get that sick. Of course if you or family history has health issues, then good to carry insurance ... MAYBE.

Is that insurance (HMO ? ) supplied by your employer ?

If you have to ask, you don't need it. I'm a Xiaomi & POCO fan, should easily find one for 5000 baht. Wife got this couple weeks back: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i3346650574-s12410338152.html?urlFlag=true&mp=1&spm=spm%3Da2o4m.order_details.item_title.1 I pick this up last year or so:

All things normal ... and hate to disappoint any Global Warmist out there ???? High today was 31° and in normal high range, as was the low. Middle numbers are 24 hr average temp. Tomorrow expecting 33/24 And you'll notice those numbers are 50 ish yrs old, so not much has changed. http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/grid.pl?gr=N11E099

NY Style Pizza ฿399 (Pizza Co)

Coincidently, we just got ours today, ฿300 each, which I thought was a bit high. Not Bangkok though. Went to local doc / clinic, Prachuap Khiri Khan (non tourist area). Not a farang price, as wife asked before I was even there. Previously, 10 yr intervals, and cost ฿50 and free ???? Look for these signs when strolling around, just pop in & ask. Signs translate to the same thing.

Only Southern province I want to visit, because it's there, but yet, have not. On my to do list ????

I think I'd give my kid a gun to take to school, if that's their idea of providing safety ... ???????????????????? ... and yea, that's a joke. ... home school ... not a joke. It really can't be that hard to secure a building. Not that a nutter wouldn't simply wait until class is dismissed for the day.

Have to agree, unless you think you have some need for a car. When we visit bkk, I rarely drive anywhere, and use public trans, and I enjoy driving. But not in bkk. Of course depends where in bkk you live and go regularly. Between rush hour, good portion of the day, and lack of parking, along with cost per km, since sitting most times, it would hard to justify having.

That's a joke ... right. W T F

Except for Phuket during C19 & 10ish yrs ago, I'm more a 'look at' the surf guy now. Do you really need to go 'in' Nakhon Si Thammarat

Legal enough not to be worried about being imprisoned for it ... that's good enough for responsible people. Just use that uncommon common sense ... hopeful thinking anyway ????