Base32

Yep - that was open surgery. I was sore for a couple of weeks. Paracetamol is your friend. Given that was 16 years ago, perhaps Maharaj offers laparoscopic surgery now? They are affiliate with CMU.

No dog is "untrainable." Owners can be bad caretakers who don't know how to train animals - I think she fits that description. She's a public figure and probably could have got Cesar Millan (Dog Whisperer) to help train the pup or to home the pup with is own pack. Like so many in government, she is evil as well as power-hungry and corrupt. Her karma will eventually catch up. She should have been charged with animal cruelty.

@EastBayRay Ethno-religious / Ethno-racial slurs aimed at followers of Islam have been removed. This is an informal warning to everyone to respect other religions and DO NOT demean their adherents by using ugly ethno-religious slurs.

Topic ongoing over here: https://aseannow.com/topic/1388799-us-troops-told-that-the-war-on-iran-is-all-part-of-gods-divine-plan/

An off-topic meme post meant to troll another member as been removed. If you want to post memes, try the Joke forum. @NorthernRyland

Had mine done at Maharaj Government Hospital in Chiang Mai. Surgery done by a professor at CM University. One day of "long waits" (about 4 hours total) to get the hernia checked and arrange for surgery. The wait for surgery was about 3 weeks. 18,000 THB for the surgery and two nights in a private room (outstanding service). The only oddity was my wife had to run across the street to a pharmacy to buy the "mesh" used in the surgery. Go figure. I highly recommend the government hospital route. Why spend more money than you need to?

Flame post removed @bkknirvana

Troll posts removed @IsmeUno Formal warning coming if this behavior continues.

Dear Grok. Is the 1111 Hz "meditation" frequency of actual benefit or is it "garbage?" The 1111 Hz frequency, often promoted in meditation, sound healing, and spiritual communities as an "angel frequency," "angel number frequency," or tool for manifestation, spiritual connection, endorphin release, pain relief, and alignment with higher energies, lacks robust scientific support for these specific claims. Claims associated with 1111 Hz typically originate from New Age interpretations linking it to repeating numerical patterns (e.g., 11:11 as a sign of awakening or synchronicity) rather than established acoustic or physiological science. Proponents describe it as facilitating divine guidance, raising vibrational states, or providing angelic protection and healing, but these assertions rely primarily on anecdotal reports and unsubstantiated assertions in online content, YouTube tracks, and wellness blogs. From a scientific perspective, no high-quality, peer-reviewed studies demonstrate unique therapeutic effects attributable specifically to 1111 Hz. Related research on sound frequencies focuses on broader categories: General sound meditation (e.g., Tibetan singing bowls or low-frequency tones) can reduce tension, anxiety, fatigue, and depressed mood while increasing spiritual well-being, as shown in small-scale studies. These benefits appear linked to relaxation responses rather than precise Hz values. Brainwave entrainment techniques, such as binaural beats or isochronic tones (often in the 1–30 Hz range), show preliminary evidence for promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and aiding meditation-like states by influencing brain oscillations (e.g., theta or alpha waves). However, these effects occur at much lower frequencies than 1111 Hz and do not extend to claims of DNA repair, toxin removal, or targeted spiritual awakening. Solfeggio frequencies (a related but distinct set, e.g., 174 Hz, 528 Hz) and similar "healing tones" face widespread criticism as pseudoscience. Their origins trace to numerological interpretations rather than historical or empirical foundations, with limited or absent rigorous validation. Reviews and analyses frequently classify specific frequency claims (beyond general relaxation from calming music) as unverified or implausible. Any perceived benefits from listening to 1111 Hz audio likely stem from placebo effects, the relaxing nature of ambient tones, focused intention during meditation, or the general positive impact of mindfulness practices—rather than the precise frequency itself. Calming music or guided meditation at any comfortable pitch can yield similar outcomes for stress reduction and mental clarity. In summary, while meditation incorporating such audio may offer subjective value through relaxation and personal focus, the notion of 1111 Hz possessing inherent, superior healing or spiritual properties qualifies as unsubstantiated and falls into the category of pseudoscientific claims rather than evidence-based intervention. If pursuing meditation for well-being, evidence-supported approaches (e.g., mindfulness-based practices) remain more reliably beneficial. And there ya have it!

Troll post removed.

Off topic and low value sarcastic posts removed.

Public comments on moderation removed. Please note: 13. You will not publicly comment on moderation in an open forum. You will not comment on actions taken by individual moderators or on specific or general policies and issues. You will not post a negative emoticon in response to a public notice made by a moderator. You may send a private message to a moderator to discuss individual actions or you can email support (at) aseannow.com to discuss moderation policy and account suspensions.You will not block communication from moderators or Admin. Aggression, personal attacks, derogatory comments or any form of abuse toward moderators, Admin, or this forum in general will not be tolerated and will result in strict consequences.

Posts mocking the OPs religious beliefs have been removed. Show a little respect. You may have just found one. Tread carefully. I'm not going to let this thread descend into and anti-Buddhist rant. Feel free to chime in if you have advice that answers the OP's question. Otherwise, go start your own thread.

This particular topic brings out passionate opinions. That's fine. Don't make it personal. Don't troll other member. Maintain mutual respect, argue the facts - as you see them - and agree to disagree. One more time: Don't Make It Personal Thanks you!

Troll posts removed. That's you @Harrisfan

I thought Hua Hin was so-so. Not particularly my cup of tea.

Middle class Americans and now selling the silverware they inherited from their parents.

@Harrisfan @SAFETY FIRST Off topic, low-value, and troll posts removed. @BilllyGOAT You personally are establishing a pattern of entering threads, dragging the thread off topic, and then trolling other members. You now are on my radar. Stay on topic. Do not troll, stalk, or harass other members. Continue and I'll issue formal warnings. This goes for everyone.

Keep it on topic, stop trolling other members. When I get tired of removing posts I'll consider removing members. Stay on topic. Thank you. @Harrisfan @BilllyGOAT @Terrance8812

@Harrisfan @scottiejohn I've hidden quite a few of your mutual OFF-TOPIC bickering posts. Tone it down please and keep it on topic. Or? I'll provide some vacation away from the forum so you have time to actually enjoy your time in Thailand.

As long as I have a car or motorcycle, I don't worry about taxis.

I guess that works until your phone doesn't get a signal or your bank app decides not to work.

I joined when it was Thai Visa. It was a good source of Thai immigration information as well as local news

Tone the vulgarity down. Posts removed. @Jim Blue @NONG CHOK

Interestingly (and amazingly) government burning policies may have developed teeth over the last couple of years. Air quality up here in the North was significantly better last year.