Wrwest

Back in the day ... I already knew upon my first visit with the evening stars, to check the drink bill put in the cup. Cost of my drink (I'm an oenophilist ... OK, wino)? Cost of the girl's drink? If reasonable, as I knew I was paying for her drink and her attention ... I would often buy one or two "lady drinks" for her friends and if it was somewhere I had been before and they remembered my name ... a drink for the Mama-San. Ha! Fond memories and never any issues. Sold me on the attention of Thai females. Happy 13 years retired (from work, the evening stars and with a Thai Wife).

My sympathy for this Son of Thailand. Just a footnote for those not familiar with Tai custom, each day of the week has a corresponding color. Sunday's color is red ... thus the Tiger Brand, "Sun Day Red".

I have been surprised each day since Trump's swearing in ... just not pleasantly. Any idea when the pleasantly begins?

Sorry, just an observation. I have heard the same concerning immigrants taking jobs in my own country. Just raises a question in my mind if all countries have similar laws, I do know that anti-immigrant laws have a long history in the USA.

Or if Melania received special treatment? But, of course Trump can well allow going after Harry by the Heritage ilk without giving another organization the same treatment going after Melania. My only concern would be equal treatment and I do not expect that from an Administration publicly supporting an enemies list.

I find great irony. Many of us are all in favor of review of all laws, regulations, rooting out wasteful spending. But many of us also recognize that a "bull in the china shop" will be doing great damage along with limited good, thus we oppose this approach and the goals sought (Project 2025) .

Sad. Musk was not elected, not vetted nor appointed by the Senate to appointment to a high US gov't position, nor having security clearance to access my records. Yet, here he is and it seems apparent the Congress and the citizenry is OK with his Trump/Project 2025 ilk support to carry on. I am just saddened to see this happening to my country. But as you point out, Americans voted for this so they deserve all the resulting responsibility (well the ones who voted for Trump and the Trump party).

I had earlier issue with Wise transfers due to a change they made. Answer was a direct wire transfer from my USA bank (no fee) to my BKK Bank Account (200 baht). As to the other angle ... I don't want to get paranoid but ... with an administration wanting to cut all government expenditures ... yes I am concerned that they will make moves against the interests of American citizens not living in the USA physically. Medicare already discriminates (unless you are fully retired military ... they get global coverage ... civilians fully retired ... not). Bothpay the monthly Part B Medicare premiums.

1994 Mercury Capri, convertible with separate hardtop.

Only reason I changed from the OA was the medical insurance requirement. Now no such requirement for me on non_O,

Better living through chemistry. If it helps you, good for you.

I am a "soft touch". Any pepper, (Mexican or Thai cooking) results in immediate sweating of my scalp. I'm thinking my capillaries are immediately opened more widely.

Want a "Deli" sandwich in Chiang Mai? zRecommend giving "Bonnie's Deli" a shot. 1269 just after crossing Canal Road heading up Doe Suthep on the right (row of shops).

The term we use in history is Pogrom. For reference, "An American Tail". Sorry, could not help throwing an animated historical fiction movie.

I await the accusations of genocide now refocused on Trump ...

Amerika /uber Alles ... But then, consistent with "it's all about me" with the incoming administration.

Look over there, I am releasing conspiracy coverups of the deep state ... wait, what? No, no ... never mind my trying to stop public release of the evidence gathered supporting the reasons four separate citizen constituted Grand Juries saw as warranting trials ...

And no mention of the bipartisan bill killed by Trump ... Sorry, we were supposed to forget that it is Congress who makes the immigration laws not the President ... sorry, I forgot Trump says he can declare Birthright Citizenship to be the law.

So, Donald has issued a slew of Executive orders. Hmm, I see some problems resulting. See if you might agree. Some verbage from The Guardian article addressing the same. 1. Birthright Citizenship: Birthright citizenship, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil, is protected by the 14th amendment and any attempt to revoke it will likely bring immediate legal challenges. The order attempts to deny documents recognizing US citizenship for individuals who meet that criteria and are born in the US 30 days after the order was signed. No, Donald, you do not have dictatorial powers as of yet. As this is part of the USA Constitution, then you will need to change the Constitution. It is a bit of a process, tough on you as you want your will carried out quickly. 2. Leaving World Health Organization: “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump said at the signing. He accused the WHO mishandled the Covid-19 pandemic and other international health crises. Understood, Donald, you want US citizens angry with international cooperative institutions to isolate the USA so you can make US decisions on your say so alone. Well, we have turned toward isolationism before in our history. It was not a positive in our long term interests. As to mishandling the pandemic, the historical documentation is clear … you were responsible for the unneeded US citizen deaths. 3. Renaming Denali and the Gulf of Mexico: Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the “Gulf of America”, something he promised earlier this month at a press conference. He will rechristen Alaska’s Mount Denali as Mount McKinley, a change first made by former president Barack Obama in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. Again Donald you are not dictator yet. Your unilateral decision holds no weight either nationally nor internationally. Again you overstep. It will remain Denali and the Gulf of Mexico regardless of your attempt to appease your MAGA nationalistic base. 4. Reclassifying Federal Employees making them easier to fire: Trump effectively reinstates “Schedule F”, an executive order he signed in the last year of his first term, seeking to reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers. (Biden rescinded the order.) Key aides to Trump have called for mass government firings. Project 2025 made attacks on the deep or administrative state a core part of Trump’s second term. The rightwing playbook called for civil servants deemed politically unreliable to be fired and replaced by conservatives. Yeah, we’ll see. While this thinking is consistent with those in business, such as yourself, there will be plenty of lawsuits eating into your budget and there are those pesky courts getting involved … you don’t control all of them as yet. I would support a Federal Employee work action in response. Sorry, most Americans will not have studied why the ‘spoils system” was done away with in favor of securing a stable, experienced workforce in return for job security. 5. Creating a policy recognizing that there are only two genders: “Agencies will cease pretending that men can be women and women can be men when enforcing laws that protect against sex discrimination,” the order states. OK, I have wiggle room here and from the quote above there may well be some give. Just do keep in mind that this is a policy statement and not documented science … or does hermaphroditism not exit? Yes, I realize many following MAGA “common sense” want everything to be yes/no, right/wrong, black/white … sorry that you are faced with a more complicated reality demanding critical thinking skills. 6. Recinding 78 Biden Administration Executive Actions: “I’ll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration,” Trump told a crowd in Washington after his inaugural speech. He also said he would end policy “trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life” and push for a “color blind and merit-based” society. OK, I have not looked at each of the 78 rescinded policies. I do note that there were reasons for perceived injustices that needed addressing. We are still, sadly, far from a “color blind and merit based” society. Thus, the Project 2025 ilk wants to fire federal employees judged not to be supportive enough of MAGA goals … never mind “merit”. And we have certainly witnessed the Neo-Nazi and KKK support for MAGA in opposition to those of a different skin color, religion, nationality, etc. 7. Declaring a National Border Emergency: “All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came,” Trump said in his inauguration speech. The executive action paves the way to send US troops to the southern border and makes good on campaign promises to implement hardline immigration policies. There are limited details about how the administration planned to execute its sprawling set of immigration actions that were all but certain to face legal and logistical challenges. Immigrant communities across the country are bracing for Trump’s promise to carry out the “largest deportation program in American history”, beginning as early as Tuesday morning. Jeez, Donald millions and millions of criminal aliens? Oh. Right you are unilaterally calling anyone who has applied for asylum, this who been here for decades (including the children brought by their parents as all “criminals;s”. Oh, I understand, Donald, again you are appealing to your baes wanting them to see anyone speaking another language, fleeing fro war, poverty, violence as those threatening the American nation. Thus calling for the US military to be used on US soil. Come on, just declare “martial law” … oops, sticky wicket that! Just a thought, we saw that legal American citizens were denied the right to vote by mistake … what makes you think mistakes in arresting American citizens will not happen? We might have had some better way of doing things but you killed the bipartisan immigration bill for your own political advantage. 8. Finally, Pardons for sentenced January 6th participants: “I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons, to get them out,” Trump said during his rally speech. “We’ll be signing pardons for a lot of people, a lot of people.” Trump said he has pardoned about 1,500 defendants charged in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and issued six commutations. Well, Donald, my fellow citizens sitting as Grand Juries found enough evidence presented to call for each of these defendants to have a trail. Separate citizen Trial Juries found these, some 1500 guilty and handed down sentences for their destroying my country’s capital, threatening lives and causing injury and death to law enforcement personnel trying to protect the Capitol and the lives threatened. Congratulations, another nail in the coffin of the American Justice System. Many of us already recognize the corruption in the system and have call ed for reform … but your actions only further alienate us from believing in and supporting the USA as it is currently. Perhaps this is exactly your goal, trust in nothing, believe in nothing, fight for nothing … jus follow me and I will lead the way!!!

Currently serving as Executor for my deceased Aussie Friend. We used PahBig at AssistThai Visa to draw up the Will, make sure all was in order, file with the Thai Court after my friend passed. Charge for the Will was 7K and worth the peace of mind. Friend passed mid-Dec., court appointment given early March to officially be appointed Executor and carry out the Will instructions.

nope... not if it is preemptive against stated threats coming from a position of power.

Good to know there is no such thing as hermaphroditism.

Yes, I used to do an EFT from my Fidelity Acct. to Bangkok Bank, NYC. Upon requiring IAT format, Fidelity declined to make the switch. I use the monthly transfer method for Visa Extensions. Fidelity Wire Transfer, once a month (no charge). Bangkok Bank here makes the exchange and charges 200 baht. Worse exchange rate than I got via Wise but, bottom line similar cost on monthly transfer of $2200 usd.

I am acting as Executor as stated in my deceased friend's WWill. It will be up to 4 months before Thai Court officially appoints me. Until then, bank accounts can not be accessed.

They were just tourists, peacefully demonstrating. Thus, it was determined by citizen Grand Juries determining there was enough evidence to call for a trial and then a separate citizen Trial Jury determine guilty of breaking the applicable laws. Katie, bar the door ...