tmd5855

Were married 4 months before my 30th birthday thinking I knew what I were doing and the future planned. Separated aged 52 thinking WTF have I done, losing everything, never done wrong, she cheated and had abortions. Aged 56 recovered financially and built a retirement home via a Thai company. Retired at 59 and 4 months saying "Wish I could turn the clock back"!! Now 70, at peace with myself realising that guys never grow out of anything, learn by mistakes not to repeat same... I think

I am an ex Merchant Navy officer (same as him) and it were compulsory when I went off to sea in 1977 to belong too the Merchant Navy Officers Pension fund. (MNOPF) Retired in 2015 with 38 yrs in the fund, taking the lump sum and monthly pension. In the RFA he would have been paying 'Class 1 National Insurance' so have the full (Contracted out), UK, Old Age Pension albeit frozen so should not be short. Something does not add up?? Would like to see the cuff of his uniform photo wearing medals.

Many folk (Builders) forget that the water table is not as faraway as they pray for. Where I live, even days after heavy rain I can dig a hole 4 spades deep and start seeing water gather. Did this a few days ago to bury a feral cat my dogs had killed.

Now in my 70's and whenever questioning 'Antisemitic' folk on their reasons why they dislike/hate the Jews they give many reasons. When I reply that others have done the same so why you not dislike them equally, get the "But, its different for them, they killed Jesus" Sins of the fathers anyone??

1977 -2015 worked overseas in the Merchant Navy then offshore in Asia and the Gulf so worked with Sunni, Shia, Christian, Hindu and Buddhists. Found the average "Joe" wanted to work, get paid, go home and be safe with their family, shared the hospitality of many creeds whom I worked with so have no 'anti' in me. 1980 working in West Africa (aged 25) met a child survivor of the death camps, his horrific experiences suffered over 'years' affected me, I am not a 'Jew Lover' more a friend of the 'Jews' told me so much after getting to know me, will never forget his eyes.

Apologies for highlighting one of your sentences, but, you are so correct and I have no idea why that is. Worked 38 years overseas in the MN and offshore and met very few antisemitic people. Finished off working in Damman KSA where I met near zero views on Israel, but returning Thailand met loads.

My son went to the Glastonbury music festival which he enjoyed, asked folk waving 'Palestinian' flags' why they were doing so!! Their reply it were solidarity with the Palestinians who were suffering from Israeli attacks on them, my son mentioned the October 7th attack on a music festival just like this one (Glastonbury) were 1,200 were murdered and raped with 250+ kidnapped as hostages. Their reply were "Fake news, it never happened" Israel sure has lost the information and propaganda war?

By comparing the "Warsaw Ghetto" to Gaza shows plainly your support for terrorism. Since 2005 Gaza ran their own affairs and it is up to any neighboring state who enters their country for work since Hamas were too busy building tunnels and not any viable infrastructure. Hamas even built 2 tunnels below the 'Ramallah border crossing with Egypt, why no criticism of their 'Arab' Egyptian brothers who built higher walls than Israel to contain their Arab brothers/sisters. Population of Gaza in 2005 were 1.7m, in 2024 were 2,1m and rising. Majority is 19yrs or younger. 'Warsaw Ghetto' population from creation to annihilation never rose only fell. Until a railway with cattle trucks appear going into Gaza then it is comparing 'apples' with the tooth fairy

They had their own state from 2005, Democratic vote for an elected government, sadly "No swords beaten into ploughshares"

The Israeli Air force bombed and strafed a Spy ship that would not leave the area. Ship were the USN Liberty belonging to their friend and benefactor. Israel will have already made known. "We cannot guarantee the safety of any armed vessel deemed a threat". Israel has a track record of bombing foreign countries & capitals without warning, where no "State of War" exists. The speed the convoy is proceeding at shows they do not want arrive anytime soon.

Plenty money for bombs, rockets and guns. Gaza were their state, after 7th Oct it is in some state.

Leadership when asked if the UK is a Christian Country cannot say "Yes", but, goes into a rambling statement no one understands

Next to a bar filled with (pick) Sailors/Rugby supporters/Samoans/Drunks/Females out on a 'Hen' night/Former boyfriends

Have stepson and stepdaughter. Son went a little 'wobbly' 11years ago, but being smart worked out quickly doing good brought better rewards, he is doing well now and in a good position, very proud of him. Daughter, she really only knows me, is 19 now and at Uni in Bangkok a lovely levelheaded young woman who has never given mum a sleepless night, asks her mum if okay to do something, if mum says I will not be happy subject matter closed. She is so aware of things. A while back was rushed to hospital, son said when being taken into ICU "You come back, not leave mum alone"??? I had a stepfather who I hated vehemently with every breath, always said to myself "In same situation would do different". Must be doing something right, son includes me in invites me to functions when he gets freebie tickets. Daughter told her mum she wants me at her graduation not her biological dad. Both have worked out who has cared and helped then. Clue? Not their dad. Second Clue "Me", why!! They give me respect/face which I suspect my wife made sure they did. Know I have been fortunate to avoid the problems so common to many others.

Shifted to 250,000 baht gold necklace Indian tourists.

Married my Thai GF so that she would get a private "Widows" pension when I died, after all she had done for me providing this were miniscule in comparison.

Apologies for abridging your post. What you have printed is so true, but, will go further........ Ask anyone the name and/or subject matter of the book they are reading now or just read. Can include books left in above the toilet roll holder.

Been with WRLife (sic) for a number of years and they paid the Suranaree Hospital in total my bill for 15 days/14nights for "Respiratory Failure" following a bite on my leg. Pay quarterly for inpatient only and cost is way below the most Popular/Known insurers.

Father died at 46, mother at 58, yet both sets of their parents lived into their 80's, getting life cover at 29 for a large mortgage had large premiums especially with working offshore in the drilling industry (Engineer) Now 70, retired at 59, have a happy home with a lovely wife of 11+ years, still active and ride large/powerful sports bikes which keeps my attention and the single cell brain molecules active, fitting a big bore kit to my smaller CBR (Love spanners). Having 8 dogs helps, Koi fishpond garden with fruit trees and lots of bird nests along with DIY, now into solar lighting, solar pumps utilising old car/bike batteries for 24hr. 2020 spent 29 nights in hospital and in July this year 14 nights in the Suranaree (Korat) 7 nights in ICU after a bite causing respiratory failure, determination to live/survive is a driver since I want to return to a happy home. My ex in the UK (Separated 2007) is amazed I am still here; she thought beer or bikes would have killed me so happy to prove her wrong. Worked near 40 years on water mostly overseas so want to enjoy what life the big fella up there has allotted to me. Apologies for a rambling answer, but now only one farang near me, all others (Smokers) have went up the chimney and there is a dearth of newcomers making a life in Thailand

He is not a clown, like Hitler, Mao, Stalin they know exactly what they need to do to gain power. Farage has tapped into concerns held by large swathes of the British population, same groups ignored by the Tories and Labour elites for far too long, this is what helped create the recruiting ground for Farage. Farage to me is an opportunist/populist individual who says and promises what people like to hear. Unknown agendas are privatisation of the NHS, larger armed forces via 'National Service' (Children born in the UK to immigrants must serve), street protests will rival the 'Poll Tax', more conflict with the EU, UN and human rights etc, etc. Though he does have some good ideas he will be the proverbial bull in a China shop. Any power he has should be in a coalition in the House of Commons to stop any wild excess that only troops with live ammo on the streets could control. It is going to be interesting how Labour and Tories will be trying to appear more Reformist/Right wing than 'Reform' at the next election.

Not agree on the "Affordability" angle, Sadat who were later murdered for the peace deal wanted closer ties with America and get the Russians out. Do the Russians have any advisers on the ground now?? Sadat wanted aid (Cash) not more tanks.

Correct, when peace came after 1973 war between Egypt and Israel the Sinai were handed back, but Egypt for obvious reasons main one being the 1971 Palestine-Jordan civil war that created "Black September" terrorist group the Egyptians left that hot potato behind.

Burning stubble is "Supposedly" banned where I live surrounded by rice fields..... So the farmers burn at night when the police finish duty at 5pm thinking no one will know it were them creating a Sunrise background at 10pm, in the morning it is the wife that is shouting 'Stupid Thais' as she hoses all around the house getting rid of the finger like soot debris. Having spent 38+ years in ships engine rooms, sewage plants and purifier rooms a bit of smoke does not faze me. Being born in Scotland surrounded by steelworks, coal mines and locomotive (Steam) yards all serving Glasgow and shipyards where you could not put out washing on a Tuesday/Wednesday owing to cooling towers being cleaned gives you a "Not as bad as I remember back home". Had an expat visit me who got irate with the noise of the "Unsilenced" farm trucks going past, I never hear them or let it bother me, the neighbours never complain about my bikes or 8 large dogs. I do same, not complain.

Why does she not look like all the other 'Royal Ladies'??? But like a 'bit' extra for a Navy frequented dockside bar documentary. So my RN friend suggested to me

Or the "Thunderbox" as fitted over the for'ard at the focsle