NanLaew

Correct. But by your own yardstick, "your opinion may not be the same but that does not make you right."

I know you're excited but if an opinion needs "interpretation" and "context", if it needs any sort of explanation, it's simply a win.

It's a very popular misrepresentation of a landslide. But carry on.

It wasn't a landslide. But carry on.

Have you had a comprehensive medical check up? Pushing 70, there's probably one or two things that are already likely, simply due to old age. I think it is better to be forewarned BEFORE signing up for medical insurance and get one of those comprehensive 'executive' medical examinations. Private hospitals will be more expensive but some public ones have cottoned on to the idea of health checks and 'wellness' for the locals and can do the same... just takes longer and will probably be less 'comfortable' than a private hospital. There are still a few insurers who don't require a pre-screening medical examination while you are still under 70 years old. However, they will ask for FULL disclosure when you apply and, if you didn't tell them about the glaucoma, enlarged prostate or stage 1 hypertension, they can and will weight the premium if they find out after-the-fact.

Have you had a comprehensive medical check up? Pushing 70, there's probably one or two things that are already likely, simply due to old age. I think it is better to be forewarned BEFORE signing up for medical insurance and get one of those comprehensive 'executive' medical examinations. Private hospitals will be more expensive but some public ones have cottoned on to the idea of health checks and 'wellness' for the locals and can do the same... just takes longer and will probably be less 'comfortable' than a private hospital. There are still a few insurers who don't require a pre-screening medical examination while you are still under 70 years old. However, they will ask for FULL disclosure when you apply and, if you didn't tell them about the glaucoma, enlarged prostate or stage 1 hypertension, they can and will weight the premium if they find out after-the-fact.

For me, about the same age with a 100,000 baht deductible and no out-patient, about 75,000 baht/year = $180/month

The discriminating farang will pick and choose rather than go full retard. Driving on the wrong side of the road or on the pavements, for example, can be quite convenient at times. "Full retard"... that's funny. I think the overriding difference between the locals and us foreigners is the latter have mostly been taught or have a notion about driving defensively. The most obvious aspect is seen on the main highways and motorways here where keeping one's distance doesn't apply. When playing follow-the-leader, as soon as they see a brake light, their FIRST reaction is to dart left or right, to shoot the gap, to get to the front, to be 'me first'. I tend to lift my foot off the gas pedal FIRST because if they are braking, it is logical that there's something ahead of them that I cannnot see. Like a u-turning tractor-trailer. Maybe, if they outlawed these ridiculous dark window tints and people behind have a better view of through their glass of what's ahead... oh, stop it. There's me overthinking it again.

Scunthorpe yakuza.

Apologies if the following seems like 'gaslighting', but.... your comment, 'when in Rome'... implies you mimic Thai driving / riding behavior ???... ...Does that mean you drive and ride with reckless abandonment exampled by many drivers here?.. i.e. jumping red lights, riding without a helmet, tailgating, speeding, wrong way down a one way street, riding on the wrong side of the road, over taking on blind bends etc etc ??? Of course, not, you are not that daft...... 'Adapting to' local driving behavior and standards, does not necessarily mean 'adopting' local driving behavior and standards... So, I don't think 'when in Rome' is a correct approach, unless you meant something else other than that implied by the statement. Does "gaslighting" include citing only the extreme, worst-case and most dangerous acts of local driver stupidity? Yes, I mimic the "local driving behavior and standards" here in Thailand, same as I mimic "local driving behavior and standards" when I'm on the 610 loop in Houston during rush hour, or haring up the M6 to Manchester at quarter-past dark already. ...and in Rome.

You mean like the same way they could cancel the Thailand Elite program?

Valid point - more 'Westerners' have had strong driver training and had to follow strict regulations for the majority of their lives... When they break the rules here, they are well aware of what they are doing. But, I also think Thai's are well aware of the rules and know exactly what rules they are breaking. Both parties, Thai and Westerner, when breaking road rules here (no helmets, jumping lights etc) are well aware of their driving / riding standards. Perhaps, Westerners are more alert to the consequences, and thats why better may be expected of them. Meh... When in Rome.

...on Soi 6.

Very unexciting, but that's Malaysia for you. Did I mention the beef bacon? A better bet is Koh Kut, the southern bit that belongs to Cambodia.

Correction. the police don't seem to want to control it.

Sorry, but that excuse of inheriting a 'black hole' economy has already been done by Starmer and the British lefties. Edward Dowd will need to come up with something more original (and credible).

influencer my arse. more like under the influence

Since the 5-year Thai DL makes for a very easy UK car rental, having that change to a 2-year license that's NOT acceptable for a car rental, would be challenging on my regular visits back home. I could use my UK DL but you also need a bunch of secondary identify stuff like a PIN from the UK licensing office so the rental company can check your license for points or bans. They will also need a UK utility bill or tax statement if you're using a UK DL to rent a car and some companies want to see a second charge card in the renters name.

The main Vietnam-era R&R spot was and always will be Bangkok. Pattaya was "discovered" by comparatively few US servicemen, probably on their third or fourth R&R and seeking something other than beer and pussy. The few US servicemen that frequented Sattahip and Samaesan were exactly that, the few that were based locally. When it comes to actual tourists, the Swedes and Germans were the first.

The fact that many other people do "stroll down seedy soi 6" doesn't detract from the very strong probability that you have been unknowingly been captured on social media. Loving your sanctimonious aura BTW. The Church of England is looking for a new leader.

Semantics and linguistic calisthenics aside, it's still illegal. You make a purchase at the "coconut bar", it's prostitution. You pay a bar fine, it's prostitution. You arrange and out-call happy ending massage, it's still prostitution. But you know this already.

Really? I was watching a YouTube taken from a car as it crawled down Soi 6. About half-way down, there was my mate walking in the opposite direction and, moving around an obstacle, made the car stop. I sent him a link to "candid camera" with the time stamp. With so many useful idiots wandering around Pattaya as they live stream their vlogs (you know who you are), and everyone else taking selfies and the like, you're probably on the internet already but just don't know it.

Good to see that you already have a firm grip on Thailand's "economic, social, and cultural fabric." You here for the temples and beaches then?

Soi 6 Where?

Bringing Happiness To The People... Redux Never worked when it was done before, so why do they think it will work now? Oh, hold on. Sorry, I suggested that they "think" about these things.