Hawaiian

1 hour ago, still kicking said:

I am 78 next month, and I have lived in Los for many years, but I moved back to Australia because of pension requirements. So my question is, will this be my right decision? Here in OZ, I get free medical and cheap medication, which are covered by Medicare. Yes, I have my Thai family to look after me, but what about the medical costs in case I get sick? At my age, it will be impossible to get health insurance. More details about me. My Thai is very poor due to living in the West, but my wife speaks perfect English, and my in-laws do understand English. I am the one who does not like Thai food so I have to eat Farang food, but I like cooking. Have a kitchen built in my place so at the moment I get 1600 AUD per fortnight. Oh yes, I don't need to pay for accommodation.

You are correct with being concerned about adequate medical care and its costs.  Age takes a toll and the older we get the more fragile we become.  You can be thankful your wife has adjusted to living in Australia.

35 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Thailands friends the Chinese are also doing the same to India, Pakistan, Laos in face any country bordering the CCP

Friends don't poison your rivers.

10 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Concerned residents from eight northeastern Thai provinces gathered in Mukdahan to share growing fears over the deteriorating condition of the Mekong River, citing increasingly erratic water levels, declining fish populations and shrinking incomes. The mounting environmental crisis, they say, is being driven by upstream dam construction, riverbed mining, and cross-border exploitation.

 

The meeting, held on 29 June at the Homel Muk Hotel in Mueang District, brought together over 100 participants including villagers, environmental activists and academic observers. Attendees represented provinces along the Mekong, Chiang Rai, Loei, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani, with the aim of developing a collective action plan under a shared network.

 

In morning discussions, participants broke into groups based on their regional ecosystems to review the current situation before presenting findings to the larger forum. The results painted a bleak picture.

 

Ecosystem Disruption and Eroding Livelihoods

 

Mr. Channarong Wongla, from Chiang Khan District in Loei, described severe bank erosion and the disappearance of sandbars and backwater pools as a result of unpredictable water levels and intensified currents. The sediment buildup has wiped out over 70% of “krai” trees, vital spawning habitats for fish, leading to a dramatic reduction in native species, such as the pla phia, now reportedly down to just 20% of historical catch levels.

 

In Nong Khai, Mr. Saman Kaewphuang said villagers have lost between 6 to 7 rai of titled land due to bank collapse since 2019. Traditional fishing tools have been destroyed by unmanageable currents and formerly thriving fisheries now yield barely enough for survival. Annual fishing income has plummeted from 200,000–300,000 baht to just 5,000 baht, he noted.

 

Nakhon Phanom residents, represented by Mr. Amnat Traichak, highlighted additional strain from sand dredging operations on both the Thai and Lao sides of the river. The result: droughts in rainy seasons, floods in dry ones and the near collapse of tributary ecosystems like the Songkhram River, now clogged with invasive vegetation.

 

Traditional Ways of Life Disappearing

 

From Amnat Charoen, Mr. Surasing Thananta shared that only 7–8 families in his riverside village still fish for a living. Irregular water levels have made spawning cycles unviable, killing off vital riverside vegetation and displacing entire communities. Boats have been abandoned, and many villagers have had to seek work in cities.

 

In Ubon Ratchathani, Ms. Sompong Viengchan spoke of worsening fish scarcity at the confluence of the Mun and Mekong rivers, worsened by illegal electrofishing by Lao communities, some crossing into Thai territory. Local fishermen have dropped from over 100 households to fewer than 20, with agriculture similarly devastated by unpredictable floods and dry spells.

 

Mr. Anan Taweesuk of Mukdahan explained that even aquatic insect larvae and worms, the base of the aquatic food chain, have disappeared from the riverbed. “No food means no fish. No fish means no livelihood,” he said bluntly.

 

Pollution and Cross-Border Threats

 

In Chiang Rai, Ms. Piyanant Chitjaeng warned of arsenic and heavy metal contamination from mining in Myanmar affecting the Kok and Sai rivers, which feed into the Mekong. Recent “rain bomb” events have also caused major flash floods, while blocked river discharge points during high Mekong levels have triggered large-scale inundation.

 

Mr. Montri Janthawong, coordinator of the advocacy group The Mekong Butterfly, added that sediment data from Chiang Khong shows the Mekong is now twice as turbid in the dry season compared to just three years ago. This turbidity, possibly from upstream mining, threatens aquatic biodiversity across the lower Mekong.

 

He also noted a dramatic and irregular pattern in water level changes, caused by dam releases from China. Between February and April this year, dam discharges submerged 70–80% of key sandbanks and rocky areas used by waterbirds for nesting, severely damaging breeding cycles and contributing to the collapse of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

 

Calls for Action and Further Investigation

 

In the afternoon session, participants discussed the energy policies tied to dam construction, including concerns over Thailand’s Power Development Plan (PDP) and questionable electricity purchasing agreements. The forum also addressed official complaints submitted to the National Human Rights Commission regarding the cross-border effects of hydropower projects and controversial water diversion schemes like the Khong–Loei–Chi–Mun project.

 

As the Mekong’s communities continue to bear the brunt of ecological disruption, the assembled network pledged coordinated efforts to preserve what remains of their river-dependent way of life and push for greater accountability from both domestic and regional stakeholders.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-01

 

 

 

The Tonle Sap Canal project will only make a bad situation worse.

On 6/28/2025 at 10:54 AM, theblether said:

The Guardian has misread this story. Xi is expected to resign in August. Senior Xi loyalist generals are being removed. 

 

China is over $50 trillion in debt. Chinese wealth is flooding overseas - capital flight is driving the country to bankruptcy. 

 

Cosying up to Iran and Russia has backfired. Trump's tariffs are causing serious disruption to industrial capacity. 

 

internal conflicts are soaring. Riots and industrial arson reported as companies cannot meet payroll. 

 

However, the true barometer of who is in power in China is military command. The excuse for this guy is corruption - the truth is the CCP cleaning house. 

 

Trump is going to destroy Chinese expansionism without firing a shot. The threat to Taiwan has gone. 

 

Top Chinese general ousted from body that oversees China’s military | China | The Guardian https://share.google/ouLuUgrT1JNWzeOmL

Most of what you say is true or actually occurring.  However, China's debt is roughly 1/3 of what you claim or $16.65 trillion.  Things don't look good for Xi and IMO his days are numbered.

2 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

From Texas: If you know chili with beans, you don't know beans about chili.

Chili con carne y frioles.

37 minutes ago, still kicking said:

I use a wheelchair service all the time, and you need to book a wheelchair when you check in. Forget about the phone. However, the service only extends to the plane's door, unless you request assistance to reach your seat, which I'm not aware of.

The airline that I fly requests handicapped passengers to phone in the request.  I am also asked whether I can make it to my seat unassisted, which I can.

On 6/19/2025 at 8:15 PM, treetops said:

I can see a reference to the (paid for) service on the front page of Sawadee by AOT.  You have to register to use it so I can't take it any further.  It also says you can book it on the sawasdeepass website (but there's a 600THB discount available on the app currently which I can't see on the website).

 

https://www.sawasdeepass.com/

 

However, if they are only offering a wheelchair you may be better to contact your airline and ask for the assistance.  That way it'll be free and supplied at both ends of your trip.

I find wheelchair assistance quite convenient.  One phone call does it all.

9 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Sure in the UK its very different, last poll I saw, nearly a third of Muslims want Sharia Law introduced fully within the UK

Time for the Brits to get serious about stopping this nonsense before it is too late.

2 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

The highly concentrated Muslim areas in the North of England have been asking the Authoroties to allow them to use Sharia law in these areas, and already big chain Supermarkets have Halal meat in there stores like Morrisons.

Not sure about England, but in the U.S. it would be unconstitutional as Sharia violates many of our basic rights.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

That is such a lump of nonsense. I guess you've never spent any time in the Muslim world, there are hundreds upon hundreds of millions of Muslims who are either moderate or totally secular, and do not in any way shape or form support Sharia nonsense, nor extremism, nor death to the West. If you don't believe that you need to get out more and do some traveling. 

Supposedly, the majority of Muslims get along fine with Thai Buddhists in southern Thailand. They even intermarry. 

The violence is mostly committed by a small group of separatists.

1 hour ago, proton said:

 

So how does that change a word in the Quran or the life of the disgusting prophet they follow? 99% of muslims would say anyone in a gay relationship is not a muslim, Islamic scripture certainly does

Evidently, my friend could care less.  One might compare her with an excommunicated Catholic that still attends Mass regularly.

3 minutes ago, davb said:

 

There's a Muslim lesbian subculture in Bangkok.

Not familiar with it.  The two girls women I mentioned do not live in Bangkok and met at work.  They are a fun couple to be with.  

8 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Islam is a cancer - pure and simple. Unlike other religions that have over time being 'modernised' - Islam is a religion that offers and accepts no compromise - it's very existence is to conquer and destroy all other religions - that is its pure and simple core tenet.  Just like a cancer than grows and conquers and destroys all cells that it comes into contact with, until it eventually kills its host - it is a abomination that should be excised from existence. 

 

Some people will think I am over-reacting and some will say there are many peaceful Muslims.  My answer is simple - Malaysia and Indonesia - and the absence of peace wherever Islam exists. 

 

How does an Asian people thousands of kilometres away from Mecca become Muslims - by allowing too many in and not driving them out - that is how.  Over 100s of years they grew like a cancer and eventually they took over. 

 

Name one country where Muslims exist as a minority where there is not violence done in the name of Islam - particularly against Jews and Christians who they see as their mortal enemies. 

 

Allow them in and to grow at your own peril - they will never stop growing.  The Dark Ages and The Crusades were not what they teach kids these days in the woke progressive liberal schools, and how they are portrayed in the movies. The Dark Ages were when Islam had taken over large parts of Europe, and The Crusades were the killing and driving out of Muslims from Europe, and the attempt to take back from Islam the Holy City of Jerusalem and all the Holy Lands of the Bible. 

Two of the world's major religions, Christianity and Buddhism, have spread far and wide.

Both have branched out into many different sects and denominations.  So has Islam.  

11 minutes ago, drgoon said:

That looks about the same as the <deleted> getting served in New Zealand schools now. The bragging David Seymour from the ACT Party said he would save the country millions while providing nutritious meals.

 

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WWJND2UKF5DMBNBFY5TW3IB2KQ.jpeg?auth=f0c23c1a61e50e50ea0c78a19d875563732cb638b51d18e2ba7e67888daa6a97&width=1440&height=810&quality=70&focal=682%2C957&smart=false

Children are the future of any country.  They should be nurtured and treasured.  Treating them like POS is extremely selfish and shortsighted.  

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Nuclear reactor, nuclear plant … 

Wrong on both counts.  High enrichment not required for either.

22 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

What evidence do you have that Iran's wish to get nuclear weapons. Is your conclusion derived from Netanyahu's 33 years of rhetoric that Iran's nuclear nuke is imminent. I do not wish for Iran to get any nuclear weapons but all are the fears driven by Netanyahu are not backed up by evidence. US intelligence say that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon. 

What else is highly enriched uranium used for?

3 hours ago, dddave said:

I once saw this type of thing first hand.  I was staying in an Udon Thani MooBan with a GF and her kids. For his birthday, her 7 year old son asked for us to buy ice cream for him and his whole class at lunch.  We went to the school headmaster and he said it had to be done through him and asked for B1000 for the ice cream.  

On the special day, each kid got about a tablespoon of the cheapest possible ice cream, the kind vendors sell for B10 a scoop.  My GF said all in, probably cost him less than B200.  The rest went into his pocket.

When he goes he will be resurrected as a cockroach. 

13 minutes ago, Thumbs said:

They would have to pay labourers to harvest the fruit... who is going to see this saving the farmers? Are the soldiers and prisoners going to receive the pay or will some army general and prison governor pocket it? These ideas are great but constantly opening the doors for corruption possibilities. Get all these problems sorted before making these announcements 

A friend of ours in Chanthaburi was offered only 7 baht a kilo for her mangosteens.  So she has decided to process the skins.  I think the dried skins are used to make some kind of tea.  Not sure what she intends to do with the pulp.  Maybe they could be used in flavoring ice cream or sherbet. 

20 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Yeah but today, they want to force another 40 vaccinations on you while you're still a child.

26 of those before you're 1 year old! I was 7 when I had my first 2 vaccinations.

 

And no liability on their part for any resulting injury .........

Sounds like child abuse to me.

In the past we never had an overabundance of ambulance chasers like we have today.

16 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Did you even read the link posted earlier, what makes you think this particular facility was 300ft underground?

I stand corrected.  However, aerial photos normally just show surface damage.