MangoKorat

I can honestly say that if I hadn't invested so much time and a considerable amount of cash in Thailand, I'd be telling Thailand to stick it where the sun don't shine. How long have Western tourists been coming to Thailand? When did we ever get a 90 day exempt? Whilst most of the civilised world does its best to cut ties with Russia, Prayuth does a deal on oil with Putin, now Srettha cosies up even more to a man that's just had his main rival murdered and invaded a neighbour on false pretences. Maybe the West should stop the import of Thai assembled pick ups? He, as with so many past Thai PM's, is totaly out of kilter with the Thai population (not that he gives a damn) - are the 'No Russians' signs still up at hotels in Pattaya and Phuket?

Yes, she has a low tolerance to Yaba.

Another one of those who identify as a dog. She's barking...........................

Firstly check if your local Land Office will accept a foreign mortgage - some do, some don't. On the presumption that yours does: Find another family member or a trusted Thai friend, put the property in their name but cover yourself with a mortgage in your name, registered on the deeds. Will that mortgage to your daughter in case of your death. When your daughter is old enough (20), have the 'owner' transfer it to your daughter. There will be taxes to pay on each transaction. Another option may be a trust. I don't know whether trusts operate in Thailand but if they do, and are allowed to own property - set up a trust for your daughter, let the trust buy and own the property on behalf your daughter until she's old enough. Even though its a trust fund - this is Thailand, have a lawyer draw up a lien, registered on the deeds that prevents the trust from conducting any transactions on the property without the express permission of the beneficiary. You could also set up a Thai Ltd Co to own the property but that would probably involve even more paperwork and the taxes would be higher. I don't think your daughter would be old enough to be a director of that company but she may well be able to hold shares. The first option I've mentioned is probably the easiest as long as the Land Office will accept a foreign mortgage - but with all methods - make sure they are accompanied by a Usufuct agreement that does not prevent sub letting so your daughter can either use the property or let it out. The Usufruct, provided its registered on the title, will also prevent the 'owners' from selling the property in each of the above scenarios. Do not do any of the above without using a decent lawyer.

Wonderful use of the English language - again!

And this is a very underestimated problem. The UK government for example, has for years claimed there is adequate supply capacity in the UK - given the massive power requirements of other 'new tech' such as The Cloud - that must now be questionable. However, when examined by industry experts, the truth is that the total capacity is not the problem (at the moment), the problem is where that power is. Much of the capacity currently available is located in ex industrial areas and not necessarily where its going to be required. To provide a reliable power supply, across the country is going to mean years of roads being dug up and heavier cable being installed. From what I'm told, only a slow charge unit can currently be used at a domestic home due to supply limitations. Anyone requiring a fast charge will have to visit a charging point and in the UK currently that also means, if you can find one. I suspect the problems in Thailand will be even worse - even though my area doesn't suffer from as many outages these days, it does suffer from low voltage as there is simply not enough power to meet current requirements - how about when people have EV's? I suspect that Solar Power for homes will start to make more sense - so maybe a bonus? I realise that climate change is a massive problem that we must do something about - its just seems that we are currently putting the cart before the horse. After years of inaction on climate change, the world's governments seem to think they can put that right by trying to move on EV's before the infrastructure required to power them is in place. If they can get it right ICE hydrogen seems a much better bet but I suspect its a big IF.

Much less than that I suspect. All these items are sealed so that they can't be interfered with (read fixed). I had a BMW 12d on which the ABS unit failed. The ABS unit comprises of a mechanical side (pump and valves) and an electronic control unit, this particular one was used on several BMW models and was only available as a complete unit at a cost of £1600! When they first started giving problems, BMW (as usual) denied there was a problem but strangely, started selling the electronic control unit separately - still very expensive though. Luckily I found a company in the UK that repaired my unit, I think for £120 and gave a lifetime warranty on it. You can bet that the fault was a small transitor or something that cost pennies. The airbag light in my car is on currently and diagnostics indicate the control has failed, they cost around £600 but again, an independent company will repair it for £70. From what I hear from friends still in the trade, the situation with these electronic controls is getting worse and given the electrickery on some of electric cars around, they will no doubt be even more expensive to repair. Motors, I suspect, will not be repairable (until an independent learns how and sources the parts) and will cost zillions to replace. I believe that one of the problems with ICE Hydrogen powered cars is storage of the gas within the car - I've heard it said that you would in effect be driving around in a H Bomb. If that can be overcome and the supply network put in place, I think that would beat fighting for a charging point in a supermarket car park. Coming soon, to a cinema near you: Charge Wars!

I'd rather buy a car based on what the position is currently - not what it might be in the future. The current cost of battery replacement is between $5000 and $20,000. https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-car-battery-cost-replacement-repair-expenses-tesla-evs-2023-10?r=US&IR=T How much will a car that is approaching its battery replacement age be worth? I would, also state - based on experience, that each time the technology on cars has evolved - that has been accompanied by huge replacement costs for damaged or failed 'new tech' parts. A failed ECU (engine control unit) for example, can literally write a vehicle off (and does) and now we have Body Control Modules etc. etc. The EV's that I've seen all seem to be packed with even more 'new tech' and if my past experience is anything to go by, that will go hand in hand with huge replacement costs when items fail. The one saving grace is that there are now companies that specialise in taking this 'new tech' apart and repairing it at a fraction of the cost of replacement. However, they don't usually get involved until a vehicle is 5 or 6 years old and even then, only when failures are common. Even more reason to hang fire and see where things go.

As an ex mechanic I've repaired many cars with engine damage incurred during a accident. Maybe not so many that have had a rock get into the engine bay but plenty that have gone off the road and damaged the sump and/or engine casings. VW Golf Mk 5's and 6's used to break the casting where the engine mounted bolted on quite regularly in a front end shunt - new cylinder block, never done, car written off. The insurance companies don't seem to agree with you currently either, have you checked out the premiums on EV's? https://www.cityam.com/insuring-electric-vehicles-is-hugely-expensive-and-that-might-not-change-soon/ The above site (and plenty of others) also seem to disagree with your sentiment that EV batteries are unlikely to be damaged. I doubt that batteries will be immune to damage but it will not I accept, be common. However, the high replacement cost of them is already contributing to higher insurance costs.

Come on, Thailand can't even run the current grid properly. Outages are common place - especially away from the capital.

That's never going to happen - there is no appetite for it because Thai people know that any serious unrest will be put down immediately. I expected major protests or even riots after Move Forward were not allowed to form a government despite spectacular results in the last election - it didn't happen. I've spoken to a few Thai's about that and they appear to be resigned to the fact that they are powerless and that the powers that be will always control the country. I was also interested to learn that they, like some Westerners, believe that the real power lies within the elite families who tolerate the various parties that they allow to form governments, provided their wealth is protected. Many years ago I was told, by a well informed Thai academic that the country was controlled by these 'elite families' who exercised overall power via the military. The people were allowed to think they have democracy and the various political parties shuffled around 'the trough', swapping' perceived power' from time to time via so called 'democratic elections'. However if those parties got any designs on real power or anything else became a serious threat to the elite, the military were instructed to put a stop to it and that usually resulted in a coup. And that is exactly what has happened - 14 coups in total since 1932. The only difference with the most recent coup and subsequent 'return to democracy' was that the military came up with a plan to ensure thay could retain power without actually appearing to do so - the new constitution. The military can now choose who runs the country via The Senate and were therefore able to state 'No More Coups' - we will see. The nearest that Thailand came to serious public unrest in recent years was The Red Shirt riots and they were put down when they became a serious threat. Many of the ringleaders of the Red Shirt movement have been locked up and some have 'disappeared'. The more recent student protests looked like they were gaining momentum and support from the population in general - then the students made a fatal mistake: They added reform of the royalty to their demands and the growing 'popular support' melted away. Move Forward tried that too. To mount a serious coup against a well armed military would require huge amounts of finance, I doubt that anyone with that sort of cash would be prepared to provide that finance because they are probably already feeding at the trough. Thaksin obviously did some sort of deal to be able to return to Thailand - Thai people are aware of that and don't believe that he was ever destined to actually be imprisoned. They don't believe the 'seriously ill' fiasco either and are not in the slightest bit surprised that he has gone from 'needing to be hospitalised' to straight home when his parole date came around but what can they do? Protest: That would achieve nothing. Riot: That would be put down immediately Stage a Coup: They wiould lose and thousands would be killed, the people cannot finance a coup. The only thing that a 'Citizens Coup' is likely to achieve is that the military would step in and take control once again. Thai people have had enough of that. Many people forecast that major unrest would ensue when the previous monarch died - arguing that he was the gel that held the country together and the military's grip would be broken. It never happened. I'd love to see serious change in Thailand and a real democracy rather than the sham that currently exists but all I see is resignation.

The truth of the matter is that a 'duplicitous, greedy and corrupt' bunch takes over every time the people try to do something about the total lack of democracy, accountability and the edemic corruption that permeates every walk of Thai society. No party that threatens the 'establishment' (read: corrupt, selfish, dictatorial barstewards) will ever be allowed to be in power. Any credible opposition is denied the right to form a government, even if they win an election, by a branch of government put in place precisely for that purpose. The 'Thaksin Pantomime' that's been going on since he arrived back in the country is simply another meal of rubbish the Thai people have had to eat. The establishment in fact, insult the intelligence of the Thai people by carrying out this charade. What's worse is they know it does and don't give a damn. I've seen more credible plays written by children. Those who oppose the 'establishment' are regularly locked up or charged with some spurious yet serious offence and effectively, knocked out of the running. Others have simply disappeared. Its no surprise that Prayuth was cosying up to Putin not so long ago - he was learning from him. So maybe you can advise the Thai people what they can do about the current situation in Thailand? Hold an election and get a truly decent person into power? I seem to remember they tried that a few months back, maybe you can help them - any ideas?

Most of the time when I'm in Thailand - except that is for breakfast. Sorry but soggy rice and pork soup just doesn't do it for me. Bacon and Eggs just about every day. When I cook Thai food at home that involves meat, I also supplement the usual cheaper cuts for quality meat and add more vegetables than Thai's normally eat. As for some of the 'weird' stuff like chicken feet or bugs - never.

Hydrogen Technology for cars is in its infancy at the moment. There seems to 2 types - fuel cell and more traditionally aligned, an Internal Combustion Engine that runs on Hydrogen. Both seem to have problems that need to be overcome but work is ongoing. I've looked into buying an Electric Vehicle and won't be doing so as things are at the moment. There are lots of issues with charging points and the power to supply them. EV's may well be a good choice for those who have Solar power at home or a live in an area that doesn't suffer from constant black outs but I often travel distances that would require charging. I also quite like the Chinese (I think) idea of cars with an easily removeable battery that can be changed at a 'Service Station' - surely the electricity supply network to put that in place is much easier to provide than individual charging points all over the place? I would urge anyone thinking of buying an EV to check out the insurance cost before taking the plunge. I don't think there's any rush to make the move to any of the new technologies just yet, I'm going to see how things pan out but if they can sort out an ICE engined car, powered by Hydrogen, that would be the most attractive to me - simply because I'm an ex mechanic and I like engines, not motors. In all cases, the overall cost of moving to an alternative energy vehicle currently seems to be far more expensive than traditional ICE vehicles - that and the fuel/charging problems leads me to believe that waiting is far more prudent.

You're missing the point. You are also making an incorrect statement. The Point: I don't give a damn if a guy wants to identify as a Gay Giraffe, He is welcome to consider Himself as whatever He so wishes to me, and I believe the majority of the sane world, he's a male human and I for one will always address Him as such. Incorrect Statement: Human Gender Is in fact binary (with some extremely minor exceptions) - the difference here is that some people wish to consider themselves non-binary - that does not change their biological make-up. There are of course some variations such as Gay Male but their actual gender is still male. They can say they are non binary but its up to others as to whether they accept the 'perceived' gender. General: You state that 'understanding that gender isn't binary is just basic civics'. You don't say it but its clear that you feel this 'binary' thing is actually meaning that its up to the individual and the rest of us should accept that. So let's take it outside the 'gender' issue for a moment and consider a different matter but with similar traits. I'm a white male but how would it be if I grew dreadlocks, blacked up and spoke with a Jamaican accent (such people do exists as it happens)? If I then said that I identify as black? Would, or should you accept that I am a black man? Would that also form part of your 'basic civics'?

Well said, I would add to that that during a recent UK TV documentary on the subject of changing gender amongst young kids, a physologist stated that the majority of their time in recent years has been spent counselling young people who had gone through the change and now wanted to change back!

You're getting a little to involved - genetics or whatever have nothing to do with the topic or the examples that I have used. People may or may not wish to understand why variations in actual and perceived gender exists. They may also not be interested or particularly bothered about how people 'identity'. The point is that we are being asked, in some cases told to accept such variations and address people according to their wishes. Some may not have a problem with that, others, myself included, reserve the right to address someone correctly - as in by their actual gender. I can't speak for others but my reasoning for that is that a man is a man..............bla bla bla. Moving on to the offence taken, I find it quite ridiculous that 'No Trans' is , in some areas, considered as 'Hate Speech'. Likewise, returning to the example of Sam Smith, the British singer, I cannot work out how he is harmed be being refered to as he or him. I am unlikely to be addressing him but if I was it would be as a male - because he is a male. If he objected to that, up to him - I'm not about to start re-defining what and what is not offensive. Once we start going down that path (which, to some extent we have) - it will just go on and on. The more society panders to the whims of these people, the crazier things are going to get.

What science would that be? Surely you're not going to claim a man can fully transition to a woman. Or is it that you have some other 'scientific' explanation? You might also be interested to know that there are some branches that would take offence at your notion of genetics. They say its a choice not genetic and would baulk at your suggestion. That particular argument has been brought up on this website before but I'll take a bet that the people who argued it will not comment on this thread - they can't be seen to be supporting such a 'disrespectful' person. Do not imply that I do not respect them, I respect all people but I also believe that there is a norm. Those who claim there is no 'norm' or ask 'what is normal?' are in fact simply failing to recognise that a human being is 'designed' (for want of a better word) in a particular way in order to reproduce = male & female. Anything other than that is abnormal in the literal sense of the word. A male cannot reproduce with another male and likewise females. I have not and would never, say that such people are in any way inferior to 'straight' people - they are not. But they are not the 'norm'. To themselves and anyone else who goes along with it, they can call themselves whatever they want but I refuse to be told that I must address someone in any other way than their biological make up determines. Nor will I subscribe to the notion that I must address people who state they do not want to be classified in a non gendered way. They can request it but they won't get it - certainly not from me. In much the same way, I do not accept that the wording 'No Trans' is Hate Speech. If someone wishes to think of it as such, that is their problem, not mine, hate was never my intention. If I wrote 'No Disgusting Trans', that would be hateful. As I suggested in an earlier post - how long will it be until stating 'Blondes Only' become discriminatory? It seems very odd that on the same App members can state WHAT they are looking for - i.e. Long Term Relationship or Short Term Fun and those preferences can be added as part of a pre written list but it seems, members cannot be clear on WHO they are or are not looking for in terms of sexual preference. I am virtually bald but I would not be offended if a girl wrote 'No Baldies' on her profile. You read what I say, well you read your version of what I say and try to make it offensive - that is not and has never been my intention. Anyone who is so touchy that they find it offensive is going to struggle in life.

Nope, there are several other reports - some have clearly been made up or taken out of context, others are attested to by teachers. There's a boy at a relative's school who swear's he's decended from an Owl and when he feels like it, tells teachers they must allow him to identify as he wishes. At other times he acts quite normally but he has quoted the recent media reports of people like Sam Smith refusing to be categorised by gender and saying he refuses to be categorised as a human and may change to whatever animal he wishes, whenever he wishes. This all started on a gender recognition basis, now kids with animal fantasies are demanding their wishes are respected! I can probably answer my own question by saying, the world has gone mad but only if you accept what these crazies want. I for one will never do that - I'm unlikely to ever come into contact with a non-binary person but to me, their gender will always be either male or female. They may be a gay male or a trans female but for me, their original identity, operated on or not IS their identity. What we are being asked to accept, and this is very evident from several news stories in the UK recently is that a boy who has changed his identity and name, is now in fact a girl and has the right to be identified as such - not in my world. That person will always be a male to female trans but I do not say that with any disrespect. They are a human being and as such should be afforded the same rights and benefits as the rest of us. But I do not believe that should include accepting that a male is now a female. In fact, taking the example of a male to female trans - there is no operation available that will change all of their body parts and enable them to fully function as a woman. I just don't understand why they can't be happy as they are - look like a girl, live like a girl but never actually a girl. A lot of Ladyboys in Thailand seem to accept this much easier that their Western counterparts - many will proudly say that they are not a girl, they are a Ladyboy or second girl as they call it. A personal example and this is the god's honest truth - my English ex wife's sister was a bit of a weirdo, suffered from eating disorders and was sometimes a little unstable - hardly surprising though due to the serious sexual abuse she'd suffered as a child. She seemed to stabilise when she got into her late twenties and even got herself a job and a boyfriend. Mind you, there was something a bit odd about him too. Christmas comes around and my ex invites her family, including this sister and partner over. Sister turns up with her new 'girlfriend', I'm thinking "OK so she's bisexual and must have dumped the boyfriend" - no problem with that but there was something familiar about this 'girlfriend'. Long story short, her boyfriend was now her girlfriend and I was expected to address him as such - sorry, he's a guy dressed up as a woman. I can't remember the names now but for example, there was no way I was going to call Colin, Susan - just because he'd put on a wig and make up. I never asked but I wondered - if it was accepted that this guy was a girl, would that now make the sister a lesbian? How on earth someone can remain in a sexual relationship with someone who's 'changed sex' part way through their relationship - just doesn't compute for me. What seems to be being forgotten in all this rubbish is that, for want of a better phrase, 'normal people' have rights too. I consider my rights are to stick with the norm and yes, there is a norm, although as usual, our gay members etc. will slate me for saying that - must be my 'Hate Speech' again. I doubt there's many married male members here who would tolerate their wife coming home one evening dressed as a male and demanding to be treated as such. Mind you..................................................

21 Jun 2023 — ... identifies as a cat”. “We now have to deal with the boys who have been 'barking' at her.” The teacher proceeds to detail how “all offer ... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/09/girl-school-identifies-cat/ You will either need to be a subscriber to The Telegraph or accept the free trial. I don't make up stories or post 'unlikely' items. I found the article quite easily by typing 'child identifies as a cat boys barking at her' into Google - as you could have done.

You've obv missed the post but they have already agreed to a refund.

Careful, the Hate Speech police could be around.

Tosh, I've stayed there for 1500, my next booking is 2000. Koh Kood was once almost exclusive to the rich but times have changed.

Which language do you speak? Airlines use the International Language - British English. How many aircraft have you seen where the signs state 'Lavatory'. I think you will find they say 'Toilet'.

Correct, its taken very seriosly and will almost certainly result in jail time.