MarkBR

Larder bakery in Phrom Phong has very nice bread - sourdough & rye

1 minute ago, Jiggo said:

Didn't I read not long ago, on another thread about 4000 pedestrians died in Thailand last year due to road accidents.

Only 4000?

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

Wouldn't that be a good thing? No spreading diseases, beatings, trafficking, and murders of that group. They would be working legitimate jobs, having more self esteem, and taking care of any of their children instead of leaving them with grandma. 

Not sure you know much about human beings going through puberty.  The idea is ludicrously impractical.   There is no country in which this would be practical.

The title is strange, it should be "Trump lost the plot a long time ago".  Reasons could be many - possibly given his age the early stages of vascular dementia.

On 7/8/2025 at 3:34 PM, Will B Good said:

 

Can You Catch a Cold? Has not been recognized or debated in a single reputable medical or academic venue.

 

Its support comes from extremist, alternative-health proponents, not mainstream experts.

 

The central premise—terrain theory—contradicts established infectious disease science, which confirms that pathogens like viruses and bacteria causally drive illnesses.

 

 

 

 

Koch’s Postulates

 (1880s)

 

Robert Koch formulated criteria that link a microbe to a disease:

The microbe must be found in all cases of the disease.

It must be isolated and grown in pure culture.

It must cause the disease when introduced to a healthy host.

It must be re-isolated from the newly infected host.

 

 

Animal Challenge Studies

 

For over a century, scientists have isolated bacteria/viruses from sick people, infected healthy animals under controlled conditions, and reproduced the same disease.

 

Influenza: In 1933, British researchers (Smith, Andrewes, Laidlaw) isolated the influenza virus and transmitted it to ferrets, showing reproducibility.

 

COVID-19: In 2020, SARS-CoV-2 was isolated and shown to infect human cells and animal models (ferrets, hamsters, macaques), causing identical respiratory disease.

 

 

In Vitro Cell Culture + Electron Microscopy

 

Viruses like measles, polio, HIV, COVID-19 have all been:

Isolated

Cultured in cells

Imaged via electron microscopy

Sequenced genetically

 

Polio virus was first cultured in human cells by Enders, Weller & Robbins in 1949 — winning the Nobel Prize in 1954.

 

COVID-19 virus was visualized and sequenced within weeks in January 2020 — genome published publicly.

 

PCR and whole-genome sequencing allow scientists to track pathogens during outbreaks (e.g., Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, H5N1).

These tools link specific microbes to clinical cases of disease across millions of patients.

 

 

Vaccines only work if the germ they target causes disease.

 

Polio, measles, rubella, smallpox, diphtheria, COVID-19 — all controlled or eradicated by vaccines that target specific viruses/bacteria.

 

 

You cannot argue with deranged, you are wasting lots of energy to no effect.   I failed, she was an avid Daily Mail reader, to convert my mother to to logic, rationality & sanity.  She swallowed all the tripe, hook, line & sinker.

22 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

Yes.... I know.... you don't like any post 1880 medical thinking... but since the human genome has been documented, geneticists have found that 80% of autism is based on inherited factors.  It's not just one or two genes involved.  There are many factors at play.

Pleiotropic

Believe very little that comes from the redtop newspaper/websites.  Most garbage, whether left or right.

31 minutes ago, Look Chang said:

In a private safe of a bank in Cambodia . . . 

But maybe some Cambodian politician knows what all thai accounts belonging to important thai politicians contain.  Useful for controlling them.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a leader in hair transplant surgery, backed by the Asian Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons (AAHRS). The nation aims to boost its status as a global health tourism centre, with the 9th AAHRS scientific meeting paving the way for this ambition.

 

Dr Kanokwan Chantauppalee, chair of the Live Surgery workshop, emphasised Thailand's rising reputation during the event. Supported by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), the conference attracted over 200 medical experts globally, showcasing new innovations and fostering international collaboration.

 

Thailand's growing appeal in health tourism is underscored by key advancements in hair restoration discussed at the event. Innovations such as stem cell injections, laser stimulation, and robotic transplants were highlighted as pivotal in advancing patient care and treatment effectiveness.

 

The country's selection to host this influential conference solidifies its potential as a global medical and hair transplant hub. With advanced infrastructure and top-tier medical professionals, Thailand aligns perfectly with its government’s ambition to establish itself as a premier Medical Hub.

 

As the global wellness tourism market is projected to surpass THB 71 trillion by 2030, Thailand is poised to seize a significant share. The medical tourism market also shows robust growth potential, heading towards a valuation of nearly THB 7 trillion by 2034.

 

By capitalising on its existing strengths and ongoing innovations, Thailand stands ready to enhance its profile on the world stage. The nation’s rise in the health tourism sector not only promises economic benefits but also establishes it as a key player in medical advancement.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-07-09

 

 

I would have thought brain transplants would be more useful given the quality of most Thai politicians

15 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

The Trump years will be widely understood to be the most erratic of any Presidency.

 

I hope the Annals of Improbable Research decide to include Political Science in their purview so they can award Trump an Ig Nobel Award.

Most erratic...you are being too kind, I would suggest the most damaging to the interests of the USA since the republic was founded.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Police General Hospital. File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

In a gripping legal showdown, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office has grilled nine Corrections Department officials over ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's hospital stay while serving his sentence.

 

The inquiry, now in its third hearing, aims to uncover if Thaksin's move to the Police General Hospital (PGH) was medically warranted.

 

With eyes focused on the contentious stay on PGH's 14th floor, the court posed probing questions about Thaksin's health status, the specifics of his hospital room, and visitor details.

 

Human resources specialist Jarawat Muangthai faced intense questioning and was steadfastly reminded to provide clear responses without evasion.

 

As the inquiry unfolds, the nation's attention pivots to the next scheduled session on July 15th, awaiting further developments in this high-profile investigation.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-07-09

 

 

Given Thaksin was pardoned, this is all irrelevant political theatre, surely?

57 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Why do you refer to them as “vigilantes”? They were, if fact enforcing US law not breaking the law. Vigilantes are construed as taking the law into their own hands not enforcing the law but using illegal force … the lynchings are a good example as opposed to protecting life, and liberty …

Vigilante was wrongly chosen word, volunteer police would have been better.

1 hour ago, freedomnow said:

this entire forum membership.

Some, not everyone.   Some think about their replies, some are amusing, and some are unpleasant.    Most reasonably sane.

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Kasikorn Research Centre

 

Thailand's tourism sector is in a bind as Chinese visitor numbers slump, forcing tourism bodies to reassess targets and boost their efforts to attract tourists.

 

In the first half of 2025, arrivals from China plummeted by 34%, with only 2,265,556 visitors recorded, putting China behind Malaysia, which welcomed 2,299,897 despite a smaller decrease of 5.58%.

 

Overall, the country accommodated 16,685,466 international tourists during the first six months of 2025, marking a 4.66% year-on-year decline. Sisdivachr Cheewaratanaporn of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) predicts Chinese arrivals might reach only 5 million this year, significantly below the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) earlier target of 6.9 million.

 

“If we market effectively and stimulate demand, we might see up to 6 million visitors,” Cheewaratanaporn explained. “But that’s still less than the 6.7 million we had in 2024.” Despite the downturn, Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, President of ATTA, emphasised China's continued importance to Thailand's tourism economy, stating, “Reducing our reliance completely is difficult.”

 

The government is being urged to take swift action to restore confidence among Chinese tourists. “It’s quite slow now; half the year has passed,” noted Cheewarattanaporn. “The private sector cannot work in isolation; the government must step in.” Following the Cabinet's approval of a ฿3.96 billion economic stimulus budget, TAT is planning to dedicate funds to strengthen the charter flight market from China.

 

ATTA awaits a clear strategy to coordinate marketing activities for the rest of the year, a challenging task given global uncertainties and changes in Chinese travel patterns. To address this, ATTA will spearhead the Roadshow to China 2025 campaign from 27 July to 2 August, visiting Chongqing, Lanzhou, and Hangzhou.

 

This initiative aims to reconnect Thai tourism operators with Chinese travel companies, promoting destinations and services through business matching. The move seeks to revive demand in the wake of COVID-19 disruptions and shifts in Chinese consumer habits, which led to a 30 to 40% drop in early 2025 arrivals, as reported by The Nation.

 

The effort underscores Thailand's urgent need to adapt its strategies to return to pre-pandemic tourism levels while navigating an evolving global travel landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-08

 

 

Also the obsession with 'quality' tourists  (translation - tourists with loads of money) & denigration of those who are not deemed to be 'quality' tourists.  Maybe treat all as welcome except criminals who should have already been weeded out via the TDAC.

Reduce ultraprocessed food (low fibre), increase high fibre foods.  Will increase frequency of bowel movements.  The increase in fibre will increase short-chain fatty acids in your gut which will allow for increase mental & physical health due to interaction with microbiome bacteria, yeast & archaea. Leading to greater metabolic health at all levels.   Also increase traditionally fermented foods where possible -  saurkraut, kimchi, thua nao, vinegar, sourdough, yoghurt, etc..

44 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

Does anyone notice who's missing from this thread?  Or maybe he just has a new new name!

Is this Bob?

32 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Maybe not all you need to know. I don't think Muslims are too keen either.

 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sam-morsy-rainbow-laces-armband-34229908

 

But hey, let's all bow down to the dogma of the alphabet people. If people get run over by a truck, that's their problem.

Given that it was about an evangelical objecting.  I was aiming my reply at evangelicals as being wedded to hatred.  But it does apply similarly to other individuals in many religions, predominantly although not solely monotheists, who prefer hatred to inclusivity.

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Title: Camden Council Faces Legal Challenge Over Trans Pride Street Crossing

 

A legal battle is brewing in north London, where a resident is preparing to take Camden Council to court over a set of road crossings painted in the colours of the transgender pride flag. The crossings, located in Bloomsbury, were installed nearly four years ago and have since sparked both praise and controversy.

 

The blue, pink and white designs were introduced by the Labour-run council as a symbolic gesture to promote inclusivity and commemorate Camden’s LGBTQ+ history. “These crossings are a visual statement to help celebrate transgender awareness and act as a reminder of the rich LGBTQ+ history and daily life in the Bloomsbury area and across Camden,” a council spokesperson stated. “Camden is ‘no place for hate’ and we have a strong and continuing history of respect and support for everyone in our borough. We fight discrimination in all its forms, and this includes being an ally to our trans residents.”

 

But 57-year-old resident Blessing Olubanjo disagrees. The NHS administrator and Evangelical Christian has launched a legal claim against the council, arguing that the installations amount to “unlawful political messaging” and infringe on her rights under the Human Rights Act 1998. The cost of the project, £10,464 of taxpayer money, has added fuel to her objections.

 

“I brought this case because I believe in fairness, freedom of belief, and the proper role of public institutions,” Ms Olubanjo told The Telegraph. “As a Christian and a taxpayer, I should not be made to feel excluded or marginalised by political symbols in public spaces. This crossing sends a message that only one viewpoint is welcome, and that’s not right in a truly democratic society. I’m standing up not just for myself, but for everyone who feels silenced or sidelined by discredited, harmful activism forced on the public by ideologically captured local authorities.”

 

The Christian Legal Centre is backing Ms Olubanjo’s legal challenge. Its chief executive, Andrea Williams, said: “Not only is this crossing a matter of public safety and Christian freedom, it’s about the misuse of public resources for political campaigning. The crossing is a visual endorsement of a contested ideology, installed by a public authority in breach of its legal duties. This is not the role of local government. Public spaces should be able to be used by everyone, not to advance divisive agendas that alienate people of faith and those who hold to biological reality. The council needs to remove or redesign the crossing and apologise to its residents and local businesses.”

 

Concerns have also come from disability rights groups. The Royal National Institute for the Blind warned the council at the time that such colourful crossings could pose dangers for blind individuals and others with visual impairments. Transport for London’s Independent Disability Advisory Group echoed those concerns, saying the crossings could confuse people with learning difficulties, dementia, or sensory sensitivities, including those on the autistic spectrum.

 

Criticism has also come from women's rights advocates. Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at human rights charity Sex Matters, argued that “there is no conceivable justification” for maintaining the crossings, particularly after a Supreme Court ruling affirmed that terms like “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex. “The trans flag crossings in Camden are not only a safety issue for the blind, disabled and elderly, but a costly exercise in celebrating a flag that represents unforgivable medical harms done to gender-distressed children in the name of ‘progress’,” she said.

 

 

The crossings are located in the same borough as the now-closed Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust’s youth gender identity clinic, which shut down last year following recommendations from the Cass Review. The council, however, denies any connection between the flag-themed crossings and the clinic.

 

Despite receiving a formal legal letter, Camden Council says it rejects Ms Olubanjo’s claims and is standing firm on its decision to retain the crossings.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-07-08

 

 

The phrase 'Evangelical Christian' tells you all you need to know concerning the reasons for the hatred of inclusivity