TroubleandGrumpy

Yup, the leftist climate change fascism and associated scams and boondoggles are rejected. The science on all that isn't as settled as the fake news claims, BTW. Trump has said he's for a clean environment. But it's time for a return to common sense and an end to the rule of Greta Thunberg. It always amazes me how lefties will quote something spoken by the media or Dems that they agree with, as absolute fact. "the urgent need for environmental sustainability." In the view of many scientists there is no climate emergency - it is all a massive over-reaction leading to enforced draconian measures of control that are causing massive economic and social and personal harm. Clearly people have failed to learn the lessons of the Covid disaster - thosde in power have merely replaced a problem that with the next 'problem' - and are exploting that to their advantage (as they always do). There is an old saying - 'beware of the cure being worse than the disease'. Those words of wisdom are being ignored on the alter of academic ignorance and vested interests. If a scientist cannot get funding to run a research program to prove that increasing temperatures are small, and that what is happening is not mainly due to human causes, then it is obvious that there is a narrative that is being protected at all costs (also reminds me of Covid). This guy below is one of the many scientists and experts who are currently stating their opposition to this current narrative being exploited by those with power and wealth, and results in delusional activists who want to 'shut down oil'. How to talk sense about climate change (linkedin.com)

Excellent list of truths and facts - bound to hurt the feelings of woke leftists. Particularly on point regarding abortions and the lies of the Dems and their MSM supporters. SCOTUS over-turned a ruling that made abortions a Federal issue, which under the Constitution was wrong. Under the USA Constitution halth care is a State issue - and SCOTUS returned that right to the States to decide on all health issues, including Abortion. So now it is legal in some States, it is illegal in some States, and it is restricted in most States. Abortion is a health care issue and under the Constitution it is a State issue not to be interefred with by the Federal Govt. Dems changed that situation for political reasons in breach of the Constitution - the Republicans put it back where it should be - the Democrats dont care about the Constitution unless it supports their own political purposes.

Anutin could be the next PM if Srettha is sacked by the Court. Anutin is letting 'them' know that is what he would do - it is a compromise for their support. It is also now his Party's position - and as the senior Partner in the coalition Government, then he is also telling them what his Party would accept and support going forward. Simple politics 101.

Dependson where you live, but if you hire a Thai PI I have heard they can be less than 'honest' and can even tell the other Party and get them to pay them as well (to lie about their infidelity). There are no licences or controls in Thailand - they dont have a licence to lose or fines/jail hanging over their heads if they do the wrong thing. IMO go and see an Expat Lawyer and ask them to nominate a PI - about as good as you are going to get IMO. If you are in the boondocks then I dont see that as being a viable option - maybe learn how to track/copy a phone and do that when they are in the shower? If it not a person living with you, then you should ask the Lawyer for advice and a recommendation.

Agreed. And IMO it is best to block/ignore trolls. Just saying.

End of story - well said. This is reality and it is why I hope Thailand does not fall for the 'Nanny State' mentality and try to stop this ever happening again. Doing that in the west has resulted in so many things in people's lives being 'controlled and managed' by incompetent Government bureaucracies that continue to grow and cost a fortune to staff with useless people who are not accountable to the people for their actions (and who cannot be sacked). The main reason I left my home country was the Nanny State it had become - it is now run by a bunch of Karen's forcing people to not do what they dont want them to do, and forcing them to do what they do want them to do.

It is extremely strong in this Forum - has been since Trump was first mentioned as a Candidate in 2016. I remember in another 'form', when Ann Coulter said Trump could win the candidacy and the election, and she was totally ridiculed and abused by the majority of members on this forum at that time (most still here). Their 'hatred' for Trump goes back to that moment and their own ignorance, which was the same as many other lefties in the USA - which the MSM fueled and has fed off for many years since (and still does). This time round it is going to be even better when Trump wins 😁 But I am sure that when Trump wins they will all accept the decision of The People - just like they demanded we all do in 2020 😂

Harris is a part of the delusional idiotic left wing lunatics that now control the Dem Party. This started a long time ago when the leaders of the Dem Party focused on winning the support of minority groups and activists - because they are extremely politically active and will do anything to win (a la 2020). Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the extremely corrupted ones (Obama, Clinton, Pelosi, Nader, Feinstein, Napolitano, Waters, etc.) were pushing this agenda and reaping the rewards - enabled by the corrupted GOP ones waiting for their turn again - Bush's, McConnell, Romney, Cheney, Bolton, et). But it all blew back in their faces in 2016 when the radicalised Dem supporters voted for the socialist Bernie Sanders to be their nomination, instead of Hillary Clinton (so they fixed that). And now they are up to the same old tricks, trying to 'avoid' Trump's 'payback', by forcing the incumbent POTUS to pull out of running for Office again. Obviously it is all in the hope of shoring up the women's vote by using the SCOTUS decision to over-turn Roe V Wade. IMO it is extremely unlikely that Harris (and whoever) will beat Trump in November (never say never). This is the Dem Party leaders last desperate move to avoid Trump payback, but IMO they are preparing for the inevitable outcome. There is one big advantage to the Dem powerbrokers when Trump wins, and that will be the reduction in Party power of their radicalised left wing. They are already planning and preparing to cover their butts and have their scapegoats ready for Trump - but their main game when/if Trump wins will be to take back control of the Party and move back to the centre. Then they will develop a more 'central' Party candidate nomination for the 2028 election - and it will not be Newsome or any other radical left wing Californian. The Uniparty will live on after Trump (sadly).

And my post above gets me responses about 'genetics' and 'conversions not acquisitions'. Seems to me that some people really dont think about history very well, or like GenZ they have only ever been fed PC versions of history. The 'insurgents' in the south are Muslim terrorists - everything else in BS - they are Malay Muslims, but they are Muslims. Cartman summed up Disney Star War movies perfectly - 'put another chick in it and make it more gay'. He also summed up Muslim terrorists when Kyle said not all Muslims are terrorists (true) - Cartman said 'but all terrorists are Muslims'. The truth is that Islam conquered both Malaysia and Indonesia - just like Christianity conquered much of Sth America. The Christians did it through invasion and conquering - like the Muslims did in Nth Africa and parts of Europe. Muslims took over in both Malaysia and Indonesia more through 'stealth' - which started with trade and then with more Muslim people. What was once made into a separate Muslim Caliphate, against the wishes of the local Buddhist Thais, was taken back. The Muslims want their 'conquered land' back, and the Buddhist Thais do not want that to happen (again). The Muslim terrorists are protesting/fighting through violence - they even bombed a Bangkok shrine. There - history lesson over - they are Muslim terrorists - and I hope they kill them all or drive them out. Now - back to my first post (see below). May I suggest you read up on Fiji and how the Indians had taken control of much of the country - mainly due to apathy of the locals. I was in Fiji just before the coup in early 2000s - we visited several times and the 'Indian problem' was obvious (outside the resorts). May I suggest that you read up on all the wealthy Chinese families now in much control of Thailand - not all Chinese escaped to Taiwan. I have been in Thailand (on/off) since 2012 - and lived here several years at a time in several cities/towns - it is obvious here too. The problem is that 'academic history' does not tell all the truth anymore - very much only the PC correct versions of the truth. The Muslims conquered lands as surely as the Christians did - but we gave them back - the Muslims never do that. They are either killed and/or driven out (Spain, Italy, etc etc) or they stay and take over - that is the truth of Muslim history - look it up. What they were and the real reasons for the Crusades is not that easy to find - woke academics and PC people have watered it down. The reason they never 'give up' is that they are still like the early Christians were - conquer and convert them through any means (all in the name of God and Jesus) - use violence and commit atrocities whenever needed (all in the name of Allah and Muhammad).

ROFLOL - The Thai apologist strikes again. Mate - you are the deluded one not me/us. But dont worry, there are more of you than you think. I recommend watching Bangkok Pat explain about the types of Expats living in Thailand and who to avoid. He points out that not that many are the stereotype Sexpats in Pattaya/Patong as many people think, and that the vast majority came here to either retire or work, and elected to stay (like he did and me too). But as he says, even they are OK now and then, but he says the type to avoid at all costs are the Thai Apologists - he reckons most of them he has met are 'just insane' (same for me too). Perhaps you are not one and I certainly hope so. But I will say that with an estimated 300-400K Expats (single, retired and married) living in Thailand spending on average about 1 Million Baht a year (includes some years buying property and cars etc etc) that means they/we bring into Thailand 300-400 Billion Baht, or in TAT speak that equates to 6 to 8 Million tourists per year, every year, year after year. That aint nothing mate - but they are spending a small fortune on advertising and changing Visa rules just to get an extra few million tourists - when we are right here right now (still) - and they are trying to take our money through taxes for what in return? The problem is that unlike the very dubious TAT tourist numbers, Thailand does not record the number of retired/married (or working) Expats in Thailand, nor how much money they spend in the country - so therefore they dont know, but as per my previous post, the Thai Govt does not really want to know either. But they appear to be only too happy to tax us if they can - and yet risk more and more of us leaving, and less and less of us coming. The only similar thing more stupid to do would be to tax Tourists who spend more than 90 days in Thailand in any one year - all that would do is make sure they dont get 'repeat' business from tourists and less tourists would be coming (which is what they are doing to Expats who dont work here).

Clearly people like you and your mate need some lessons in the history of Muslim conflicts and their acquisitions of land. Perhaps you both think it is the Malays that are fighting for their 'homeland' and not Muslims wanting their own Religion to rule and not be 'ruled' by a Secular Buddhist State. I wont waste my time anymore - reality aint what some people want to see/hear.

That is your interpretation - not the intent. Most people know they took over slowly slowly by more and more of their people arriving and then through successive generations taking over the positions of power and control. Same tactic being employed in Europe right now.

I have never implied any such thing. Stop. Think. Re-read what I have said - all of my posts.

I agree - this never ending 'war' should be stopped one way or the other, and the example of Mindanao in Philippines and even that of Penang are two possible 'solutions'. Likewise, in Singapore there is a 'positive' Muslim community that has sorted out well the difficulties of being Muslim in a secular country. Thailand needs to look around for what has worked in the past and try to adapt that experiences to suit the Thailand situation. But as we both know, the 'Thai way' often means they are only focused on short term driven agendas of power and wealth.

You have issues - I suggest after reading my post below from yesterday that you calm down and think.

I have been there and over the Friendship bridge and back (in a bus). There is a 'shuttle train' that I am aware of - but nothing more. Do you get on in Bangkok and then get off the same train in Laos? Not what I thought it was/is. Don’t be stuck in traffic, take a train to Laos instead, says SRT (nationthailand.com) Train Guide to Laos – Richard Barrow's Thai Train Guide Anyone actually got on the train in Thailand and then got off in Laos? Maybe they have built something new that is not showing on websites or Google Earth?

I knew you would not read that - nor the section about Malaysia/Thailand. Obviously you either cannot read or you cant - either way, go away.

What ignorant statements you make - totally misconstrued and off topic - how do you know what I know. Besides the fact that I was not talking to you - your ignorance of the subject matter is astonishing - but not unexpected. Have another beer/bar girl and tomorrow have a long read - assuming you do read. Islam: The Politically Incorrect Truth (thereligionofpeace.com)

I would not assume that an LTR income tax exemptions/reductions will remain in place - they can and might change that - just like that. Unfortunately, this and last few Thai Governments (and most Thais) greatly under-value the amount of money that long-term Expats bring into Thailand. Early this year TAT said they were going to include Expats in their figures going forward. What happened? Where are those numbers? IMO what happened is that Expats numbers started declining and less Expats were arriving - they need more for their bonuses, and they quickly realised they could not manipulate the numbers - so they dropped the matter and stopped counting. A few years ago I was emailing with an Expat who was a consultant working for a Thai Govt Dept. They were doing something on calculating how much each retired/married Expat living full-time in Thailand was worth financially to Thailand. Their initial analysis showed that the amount was much bigger than anticipated because unlike Tourists, they buy or rent property long term, buy cars, food, petrol, travel, entertainment, etc etc. The Thais he was working with had no idea Expats spent so much over 5-10 years. There was a 'conference' (they love conferences) and when the Boss was given the prelim figures, he said 'stop' and cancelled the project. The Expat reckoned the reason was that the Boss knew that the Big Bosses in the Junta did not want that information being released and known by the public.

And therein lies the dilemma for many people - 'could' - there is no certainty about all of this situation. And if any person thinks that laying their financial life at the feet of the TRD is a viable thing to do, then I would suggest otherwise. Those with a lot to lose (in taxes) are either leaving, have left, or are thinking/planning on leaving - because they can live in a nearby country that does not tax retired Expats money, and still visit Thailand for <180 days and pay no taxes. Most of us with a little to lose are still here and are considering things going forward - we are waiting to see what clarifications TRD will (if ever) release by the end of this year. And those of us with nothing to lose dont care either way. What I do know is this - I dont trust any Thailand Government Department/Official. Not just because of corruption - but because they are incompetent and also because I have no legal recourse when/if anything goes sideways. If Somchai in the local TRD Office decides that I am 'rich Falang' and must pay huge amount of income taxes (ignores all my deductions etc.), I have very little (none really) legal recourse to challenge that decision. Anyone who thinks otherwise - then I remind you of the Expat who took a Thai Hospital to Court about being charged 2-3 times as much for the same services as a Thai, on the basis that under the Thai Constitution price discrimination is illegal. He actually proved his case, but the Judge ruled it was OK to charge Expats extra because they have more money and it is good for Thailand. This is a 3rd world country - but only when they are in serious trouble will some people realise that. We are preparing and waiting for TRD to release their long promised 'clarifications' and then we will decide what to do. My Thai wife is adamant we are not going to pay income taxes to those corrupt (insert Thai insults) who are currently in Government (for who knows how long).

Thousands of year ?? Muslims have not been living there for that long mate - learn some history. The Muslims took that land off those who had been living their for thousands of years - since before Buddha. But your point is valid - Thailand took over existing Muslim Caliphates - and perhaps it is time to give them back (for a negotiated fee).

Right but Wrong. Talking with Muslim terrorists never has worked anywhere in the world. You either drive them out or they win - there is no 'settlement' possible - they are not fighting for 'normal' reasons such as Ukraine etc (economic, social, power, money, wealth, etc etc) - they are fighting for a Holy Cause'.

I can see this is going to get serious - far too many bombings since new Govt took over. I think the Military/Police will soon be striking back at the Muslim terrorists.

I checked and apparently the train stops at Khon Kaen at 5am and you can get on there. Obviously the 133 makes a lot of stops from Bangkok and the list of stations is on this website - from Nong Khai I assume you catch the bus across the bridge and into Laos. Think I would prefer to drive car and just park on the Thailand side. Rapid No. 133: Bangkok to Nong Khai – Richard Barrow's Thai Train Guide

Yep - he just did not listen about sticking those tide pods up his nose.