jaywalker2

That's exactly what they want to get rid of, all those aspects of the underground economy that they don't control. It doesn't matter that you like cash. Modern governments don't care what its citizens want. They only care about what expands their power base. QR codes, digital payment systems, digital I.D's. Thailand has already tried to implement most of these things, it's just that their level of technology at the government level isn't very good . But that's the direction modern societes are moving in. The motto of the Great Reset: You will own nothing and you will have no privacy but you will be happy.

They're already required to make public their stock trades but what does it matter if their are no restrictions on what trades they can make: There are no insider trading laws for members of congress.

Yes, of course. Members of congress should not be in a position to benefit financially from their policy decisions.

It's been all over the Internet. The stock trades of Paul Pelosi in advance of policy decisions by Congress even motivated a bill to ban stock trading by congress people and their spouses (A vote was blocked by Pelosi). Just one example: https://www.businessinsider.com/nancy-pelosi-stock-trades-congress-investments-2022-7

And an even more amazing job of enriching herself through the highly suspect stock trades of her husband. I, for one, am glad she's gone. It's time to get rid of these octogenarians.

In China, you have to get an okay from a QR code before you can travel, shop, do just about anything.

It's not whether you have a smart phone but whether you want to be tied to your phone in everything you do. Everything you do from accessing the Internet to all your financial services are becoming dependent on that damn phone.

It's going to be fun times when a solar flare or emp attack knocks out the grid. Sooner or later it's bound to happen.

My girlfriend contacted the one we went to before and she said it's still in business in Lat Prao between sois 61 and 63. So the government shops haven't closed just the one she used to use. Come to think of it, I might go and have a new pair made.

I read a lot of books --strictly ebooks though. I haven't read a physical book in years. I don't read as much as when I was young but that's to be expected I guess. I think most people probably read a lot, only they're skimming Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and online forums. These distractions are a waste of time but most people seem to prefer them to more productive activities.

There used to be government subsidized optical shops, which is where I got my glasses about six or seven years ago. They gave an eye test and everything and the total cost for the frames and plastic lenses with UV filter was 800 baht. Ironically, this has been the best pair of glasses I have ever owned. All of the frames I bought at optical shops ended up breaking or the lenses ended up scratched. I've had no problems with this pair. They're still as good as new. I don't know if the shops still still exist. They were attached to stationary shops that provdied discount supplies for teachers. I got mine in Bangkok but I believe the government stores were nationwide. It would be worth checking out.

Another election commission "probe" certain to go nowhere.

Notice the government has just raised the electric rate by 14 percent. Is that considered low inflation?

Has inflation remained low? Food prices have soared and the rent demanded for vacant condos seems to have exceeded precovid levels. Am I imagining all of this?

Why is it that so many people who claim to be successful self-made men are so full of anger and resentment?

If you get most of your news from social media, you're bound to have a distorted impression of the world and especially the U.S. These days it's mostly a way for attention seekers to draw a crowd for their antics.

I wish;

Just a saline or hydrogen peroxide rinse is supposed to be effective in killing any covid germs in the nasal passages. And by the way remember when they announced that Thai researchers had developed their own vacdine? Whatever happened to that?

Wonderful! All dishes the orginary thai could never afford.

thai-american because he's a naturalized thai. not a "real" thai (although he tries hard to act more thai than the thais)

He did have the vision to see the potential of U.S, fast food when most people thought Thais would never go for it. But a lot of his success is attributable to the connections he was able to form among the elite. Remember, he jumped on the Prayut bandwagon right after the coup and his 300 baht hotel surcharge mirrors the surcharge that the government wants to impose on foreign arrivals. The fact that he, originally an American, should subscribe to such discrimination is disgraceful.

But he made his money in Thailand and is well connected.

More proof, if any were needed, that in Thailand (as elsewhere) brains and excessive wealth do not necessarily go together.

Get a crown. It's important for keeping the bone intact, maintaining the structure of the mouth, and ensuring proper bite. You shouldn't even get your wisdom teeth taken out unless it's unavoidable. Dentists often say you don't need them but their removal causes the mouth to shrink leading to constricted airway, breathing problems, and other issues.

Common among the commoners but not among the hi so. Among the lower classes just as common as premartial sex probably.