realfunster

It's no pandemic anymore but it is still a "thing". Clearly weak, elderly and compromised people can have major problems with it, perhaps the 'flu is a reasonable comparison. I've had it twice. First time 2022, very mild, a very runny nose. Second time 2024, mild, bad headache/fatigue for 24 hours. I have spoken to many who have had it much worse over the past 5 years, especially in 2020-2022, with the more virulent strains. One of the challenges of discussing COVID is that personal experience, on which we place great value, varies greatly. Might have had it for a third time recently as it ran through the office. Felt rough for a few days but didn't test positive. Most people in the office were fairly mild apart from one guy who lost his voice for 1 week and developed a gravelly vocalisation that Rod Stewart would be proud of for a week. Weird. I'm not planning any special measures but should I feel bad and test positive, I will at least stay at home for a few days to avoid spreading it. Just like I would with the 'flu.

Once you leave certain "nanny states" you will observe that many countries, whilst limiting where you smoke, do actually provide areas for smokers in Airports (airside) and elsewhere. From memory, the UK is one of the toughest on enforcing no-smoking airside.

Yep - but that wouldn't help reduce the trade surplus with the US would it. I'm guessing that is part of the evaluation here.

You must be a troll. Western allies, in the interests of all, are clearly avoiding directly attacking or their assets being used to attack Russian soil. Russia has invaded Ukraine. They are at war, why on earth can't Ukraine attack military targets in Russia ?

Who is this smirking usurper, this is hardly appropriate behaviour for such grave news, and where is our Dr Yong ? Remember folks : if it's not Dr Yong, they could well be wrong.

Well, it's a headline grabber for sure, job done and some attention brought to this new "neo-conservative" party. "Tough on corruption, tough on the causes of corruption". However, if you think about it for more than about 2 seconds, you will conclude it's completely unworkable.

I started drafting a critical analysis of the OP which contains numerous information gaps and logical inconsistencies but to get to the point - yes, you are absolutely correct.

That appears unlucky and unusual in my experience. 1) getting any crap from a Grab driver 2) the meter fare being higher than Grab fare (subject to ridiculous Bangkok traffic) In my typical Grab usage, I know the routes well and usually Grab is at least 50% more expensive than meter in standard times, more so in busy times. Not hugely unreasonable, they will drive to pick you up from your pick up point and they remove all the hassles. Whatever happened with you, there was the option to report your issue with Grab. First mistake, getting in the car when “he turned on the meter and laughed”. You need to self-advocate in Thailand. People will often try to bend the rules. If not comfortable or not to mutual advantage and polite and clear “no” is required.

Two hopes - Bob & none. US FACTA/FCPA/other regulations will not be welcomed in Thailand's casino industry, it will be a brown envelope machine the likes of which we have never seen on these shores.

So what you are effectively saying is that access to such places should be means tested ? The comfortably off can enter, plebs cannot ? Are there other aspects of Thai national life where we should be implementing such an approach ? Perhaps we can means test access to alcohol and cigarettes as well. After all, the comfortably off have private health insurance, the plebs just run to the local state hospital and are a burden to the taxpayer. Hmm, on the other hand, perhaps just giving all citizens freedom of choice within an overarching general regulatory and legal framework might work better ?

Yes, good luck with that mate. I suspect the powers that be will prefer a more "grey" operator who is, let's say, more familiar with "Thai business style" and is not keen on or subject to much regulation/oversight. Knock me down with a feather if in due course the chosen operator is not Chinese.

Zzzz- that old chestnut. Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel, as they say. Provide a better service - clean cars, polite drivers, no fare gouging , better safety, use Google maps to destination etc. I don't use cars for hire that much but I haven't picked up a taxi off the street for a few years now. That's even considering that Grab is nearly always much more expensive than a taxi. Perhaps an insight into customer dynamics that people will still pay 50-100% more than a standard taxi fare to remove the hassle of finding one, fare/route negotiations and the ensuing journey. Taxis - adapt or die. That simple really.

True but to be fair the left turners are often facing unseen to us hazards when entering the side road, double parked cars, food carts, packs of dogs and random motorbikes etc. On a similar note, one of my faves is the car drivers (using the term loosely) who swing out right a few feet to do their left turn, it's a classic. Especially appreciated on dual carriageways when you are bombing along at 80kmph in outer lane.

One of the less publicized impacts of the earthquake was it revealed the large numbers of pets in condos. As all and sundry hastily evacuated their accommodations, often with their animal chums in tow, I believe many building managers and co-residents were surprised to note the resulting menagerie assembled in their building’s front car park. Talking to Thai colleagues, some buildings have continued to turn a blind eye, some have offered a monetary solution (mandatory purchase of an “animal condo residency license”- never miss a trick, do they) whilst others are playing hard ball.

Agreed. Diversification. I hope the OP is not suggesting going heavy on Gold or Silver. Despite some of the comments above, may I remind everyone that Gold pretty much had a 12 year bear market very recently. I've taken some profit off the 50%+ since early 2024 and reduced my GLD ETF holding. I own a couple of mining stocks, focused on Gold & Copper. Whatever the underlying fundamentals, the kind of massive short-term run-up seen in Gold usually has a sting in the tail...