Old Curmudgeon

Good thinking. Thank you, @Scouse123

Thank you very much, @Mahseer. Looks like just the place. I'll go have a look.

Where to buy Macintosh computer re-furbished in CM? Any shops here do top quality re-furbishing? Exact model and type not important: desktop, laptop, mini -- I don't care. Just want fresh and like-new OS, memory, etc. If they'll take trade of my current, Mini M1 2020, that would be nice. But trade-in not essential -- Mac Minis sell easily second hand. Thank you.

When I first read that post from @tomazbodner, I laughed at the idea of buying a new computer each year (or maybe every other year). And I don't know if he was just joking, or was serious. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. Yes, would take a few days to re-install all the apps and and transfer over preference files, but it would run fresh and clean. My current Mac is year 2020. I've got the credit card out on my desk and am currently looking. Thanks again, @tomazbodner for your suggestion. It could quickly answer the request that started this thread.

I hope these butchers are useful in your quest for Prosciutto Cotto ... In Pattaya, I don't know, but in Bangkok have butchers who will have pork leg that size, and will send to you in Pattaya. I frequently buy from -- and recommend -- the following butchers: - Sloanes - The Accidental Butcher - Paleo Robbie 5+ years of experience with each of those: all good. Picture below is cooked, but all three above may have un-cooked, just must ask. But be prepared, prices at those specialty butchers not the same as Makro. - Old Curmudgeon (in Chiang Mai)

According to Internet blogger Miles Mathis, it is a hoax. https://mileswmathis.com/laken.pdf Excerpts: Well, that's just an appetizer. More, much more, at the link. Miles Mathis makes a hobby of debunking hoaxes and their associated legal "soap operas". Fun reading. I hope there are lots of thoughtful comments, especially from any lawyers seeing this. And, since this is a forum about Thailand, I'm wondering how we might identify similar machinations here. And what the motives might be. (Or do we just say, "all of them are" and the motive is money and power? I expect that would cover everything.) - Old Curmudgeon

In this case, Chinese tourists don't have any choice. They follow tour schedule, get on the bus, and go wherever tour operator directs. The correct question to ask is who gets what commissions. And at prices for everything there is lots of room for commissions at this market. No reason that I can think of for any expats to go there.

TOPS "Green" supermarket at Jieng Jai market opened about a year ago. My first time there today. Here's a review for my fellow expats. For those wanting to save time, here's my review in 4 words: Don't waste your time. It's designed from the ground up as a tourist "trap". Not a "trap" really, because it is attractive, clean, well-organized. Lots of open space to wonder around and look at vendors selling things. It has all the appeal of a new shopping mall, just open-air. In the market area, mostly "natural fiber" clothes for women. Lots of "natural" style handbags and shoes for women. Lots of little nick-knacks and "accessories" that would appeal to women. Plus lots of little "food court" places to eat. Plenty of chairs and tables to sit and eat outside. From a quick glance, the food seems aimed at what we used to call "health nuts". In the past, that meant lots of tofu + bean sprouts + kefir and kombucha. These days it means signs and menus adorned with words like: • eco-friendly • energy-efficient • reduced plastic • sustainability • environmental responsibility If words like that "speak" to you, then you'll probably like Jieng Jai market and TOPS Green. TOPS inside is clean, well-lighted, and well-organized. Much nicer than any other TOPS Daily store I've ever seen. In the store, anything that could vaguely be considered green and trendy: Grass-fed beef -- securely sealed in plastic wrap. Organic eggs -- in "natural" cardboard egg cartons. But my favorite, organic apple juice -- easily available at Rim Ping -- at TOPS Green, "no have". And everything at prices much higher ordinary stores. We arrived about 8:30 AM.-- still cool. Busy, but not crowded. Stayed an hour. That was all the sustainability I cared for. When we left about 9:30 AM. the flood of tourists was starting in earnest. Big tour buses, vans, and song-taeow, too many to count. A Tsunami of Chinese tourists pouring in, wave after wave. Farang tourists; just a few, always with pampered children in tow. Did not see anyone who looked even remotely like a long-stay expat. So, any reason for an expat to go? Only one: For men seeking "day game", lots of young, healthy-looking targets of opportunity. Other than that, the Thais have a saying that, in my opinion, applies here: ครั้งแรกเป็นครั้งสุดท้าย "First time is last time".

I think there is another aspect to this that hasn't been mentioned yet. I've discussed this situation -- accept, then cancel, or maybe not moving -- with drivers from Grab and LineMan. I expect similar applies to Maxim, but not sure. Every driver has told me the same thing: On their app (drivers' app) they do not see destination until after they accept the ride. Only then do they know where they are supposed to go. And that's the rub. Drivers going anywhere always think ahead to their next trip from there. If your ride request is to some out-of-the-way location, or at a time of high traffic jams, they don't want it. More income for them if they stay in an area with lots of passengers moving in all directions. Can't fault them for thinking like that. They have two options: cancel on their app, or not move and hope I cancel on my side. My solution to the problem: patience, lots of patience, and keep trying. Is there a better way? Well, yes I think there is: give drivers a big tip. Drivers rate us, just like we rate them. Giving a big tip gives you, the passenger, a good rating that shows up on their app. Drivers are more likely to accept and actually come to pick you up if you have a good rating and they might get a generous tip. So, especially when going to out-of-the-way locations, I always tip very well. The Cheap Charlies reading this won't like that suggestion, but I'll be in the car and on my way while they are still waiting, waiting, waiting for a ride.

@Captain Disorderly - Proton Mail offers free VPN if you sign up for their free email service. Yes: free + free. I have Proton Mail for my "burner email addresses", and I installed their free VPN, but don't use it regularly. The free version is a bit slow. (Can use, just too slow for this impatient old man.)

I always appreciate manned security like that ... housing development or industrial estate. Says that residents care enough about their property to pay extra to protect it. What I wonder is how long the manned security will last. Have seen so many empty, deserted, security booths -- clearly deserted for years. When that happens, attention to the properties inside declines also. No security => properties on the way down. So, I'll take manned security any day!

Nice, really nice. Thank you @csmith for posting that here. Very professional video production. Clearly, someone is skilled at using a camera. A little bit unclear about the objective of the video: #1 - to advertise video services? If so, did a good job of that. (And I'm all for personal/business advertising like this. Wish there was more of it on this forum, so we could find out about products and services available in this area. #2 - show a view of an up-scale and very expensive housing development? If so, what struck me was the houses look "picture perfect", but few people were out and about. Except for a few long shots of two people in a swimming pool, no other residents to be seen. Well, I'd like to see more along these lines. Perhaps a thread: "videos of my soi, my moo-baan" from all over Thailand. That would be fascinating.

I don't quite believe it, but they claim to translate languages instantly. Wear these ear buds while other people speak their language, and you hear translation into your language. Anybody here actually use them? Do they really work as promised?

Correction: "showed up" is not quite accurate. It is invitation only. None of the expats at lunch were frequent posters here; not that I know of. As for giving out online identities, again, none that I'm aware of. As for "scary thought", well, that's exactly why these expat lunches are "invitation only". Works like this: Person interested sends a PM to me ... I know his online identity and he knows mine. Then we "chat" in email a bit to get acquainted on both sides. And I look back on his posts here. If, in my opinion, his "attitude" here is less than desirable, the conversation ends quickly. Otherwise, the next step is a one-on-one meeting for coffee. (Old Curmudgeon pays for that.) And then, perhaps, there will be an invitation to one of the future lunches with fellow expats. Posting about this here, because I welcome thoughtful comment and critique.

Exactly. Many topics like that, of common interest to long-term expats here. Thanks, @MarkyM3 for mentioning that here.

Report on this "transaction": Everything about this co-operative purchase went smoothly. @Barley kept me informed by LINE at every step of the way, from sending my initial deposit to him, to delivery of the product by messenger just a few minutes ago. He thoughtfully prepared a map to his place for the messenger. And he kindly offered to assist me with setting up the app on the device. That's much better "customer service" than I would expect from HomePro or Thai Watsadu ! ! In future, if @Barley offers any other co-operative ventures here, I can highly recommend going in with him.

Report for anyone wanting a rice cooker with no aluminum: I decided to buy Camel (brand), model GL503. Size 1.5 Litre. Ceramic coating on stainless steel. Bought on TikTok: 449 baht. Used first time today. Perfect steamed rice. No burnt crust on the bottom. "Keep warm" feature for an hour. I can recommend this product.

Thanks again, @JimTripper for your (as usual) thoughtful comments. Just wish you'd read the opening post more carefully.

Okay, this topic is just about into page 2. (or maybe actually in page 2 when I post this.) So now the quality and relevance of the posts will begin a steep decline. That's the way it is. The easy solution to that is in the original post.

I appreciate posters above who quickly helped make this into a "hot topic". And 150 views in just the first hour ! I had no idea this would be such a popular topic. Okay, I'll get to work on parts 4-5-6.

Thanks @JimTripper for that observation. I've been "dug in" here for over 20 years. And what I've seen agrees with your comments above. That's why I think it useful to have ways to make new friends.

Kind offer: thanks @Hummin, but you "missed" another one. You sound like an interesting and intelligent person, but I wish you had read the opening post more carefully before posting a reply. In your defense, most posters, on most forums, do not read carefully before posting, they just see a few words and then "riff" on that.

That is exactly my experience, @KhunLA. Not, "not nearly." Not at all, really!

Good idea, @LosLobo. Never thought of it like that: "burner username". I like it. Useful security tactic for the risks of today's Internet.

I appreciate critique. Thank you @CharlieH For myself, I ONLY use burner emails when dealing with strangers on the Internet.