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Perhaps one/some of the summit attending countries requested this for security? whether it is valid or for show remains to be seen. It is the very system in Thailand that leads to the environment so many non thai's find appealing enough to relocate and/or vacation. The system that creates 25 baht papaya salad and 5 baht sticky rice and a slew of other nice food. Now Italian food is quite pricey, who would one complain to, the Thai government or to Mr. Berlesconi?

You have obviously never had a 3000 bht SANDWICH !!

No need to pay anything if you play your cards right.

Honestly I appreciate witty humour

I have been a wave surfer since childhood and have a deep respect for the ocean. Have also spent years on Oahu's north shore and surfed/swam/snorkeled.

Some of my observations while in Phuket. Have seen multiple lifeguard towers but never to dat someone sitting on the tower watching the beach. Have seen so called lifeguards (yellow shirts?) usually goofing off doing everything else but watching the beach. I have purposely spent time focusing on observing the guards in light of recent drownings. You would think the'd be especially vigilant, but NO.

On Oahu's north shore there are clear signs posted that say "no swimming" and/or strong/dangerous current. Irregardless of the best signs, the guards need to constantly watch the beach because people often don't care about signs, some dont read english(Japan tourists), some are drinking alcohol. People can get dragged in by rushing water without even swimming in the water. Spectators sit on rocks close to the water and get hit with a wave and fallin then dragged by the current.

Knowing to not fight the current but go with it til it subsides and/or actually goes towards the shore is helpful. Knowing that the brunt of a waves force can be averted by diving under it may help, unless low tide and the waves are essentially breaking on sand. Catching a wave(body surfing) can be your best friend and bring you back to shore fast Not panicking and simply treading water or backfloat can help you.

Above all, regardless of any signs, there needs to be actual lifeguards actively and constantly watching. The guards need the right to commandeer any commercial jet ski or rental surfboard for rescue. Many of the waves I see during rainy season are not even suitable for surfing as they close out. No place to turn right or left and slam down. Can snap a board or a neck.

From a relative point of view, with basic lifeguard/rescue in place it is much easier than many other beaches in the world; ie australia, hawaii, california.

PS; I have been resued twice. Once in Hawaii tired of paddling and caught in open ocean current

Once in Bali, caught by a very strong outgoing current almost in the shipping lane. Above all, don't panic or start thinking about fish that want to eat you.

Perhaps one/some of the summit attending countries requested this for security? whether it is valid or for show remains to be seen. It is the very system in Thailand that leads to the environment so many non thai's find appealing enough to relocate and/or vacation. The system that creates 25 baht papaya salad and 5 baht sticky rice and a slew of other nice food. Now Italian food is quite pricey, who would one complain to, the Thai government or to Mr. Berlesconi?

The A380 is dead meat...as it was, since it's inception. A modern day Edsel...

Reading that statement leads me to believe you know absolutely nothing about the aircraft industry....I've only spent 42 years as a 'Licensed Aircraft Engineer'...............

Do mean to say there are actually people posting that have little or no factual knowledge about what they profess to be lecturing about? Amazing!

Glad they canceled.

A380 is a death trap.

I will NEVER get on one.

The recent crash of an A330 with 280 folks dead. Just think when the A380 falls out of the sky the number will be 800! And it is not if it will it is only when.

Airplanes crash Boeing and Airbus alike. It is not something I wish for.

Ok why death trap? 33 injured in Airbus A380 evacuation drill and the title of the story I read. One with a broken leg and one died. But the story was edited and now states 32 injured one accidentally broke a leg. What? Accidentally broke a leg as if one would do that on purpose. The one that died was removed from all stories about the test because the autopsy states the person died of a heart attack and not as a results of the safety drill. So I guess the person had a heart attack on purpose

Airbus has always been in a jam from the start they are behind in manufacturing and thus delivery.

Tests on the evacuation procedures on trials with the 747 resulted in a time of 2min 30secs instead of the actual time laid down by the FAA with numerous injuries, more trials resulted in even more injuries even though the 1min 30 sec required time was achieved but even more problematic was the evacuation procedures from the upper deck where conventional chutes were replaced by volunteers escaping by using a harness attached to a reel, sorry but even though I was at these trials I cannot remember how many were injured.

If someone running the boston marathon died from a heart problem, is it correct to make the inference that "running in the boston marathon is dangerous as it causes deaths from heart problems"

People with diagnosed or undiagnosed heart problems are usually not barred from air or ground transportation. The stress from evacuating a train or bus could also lead to death in certain people.

If an A380 is evacuated and the result is one broken leg and a death from preexisting heart disease and everyone else is fine, that isn't bad at all.

If the airlines were to not allow people with medical conditions that potentially can deteriorate into morbidity and/or mortality then the evacuation drills will likely have better results.

If so, what's it like? Bands, sound system, seating arrangement, prices. etc.

looks like nobody been there?

Darn! Would have liked a new place to enjoy!

It is an upscale place for those who like rock music. Sound system is quite good, marshall amps, polite staff. Have noted upscale patrons; hi so women

Bands are learning more than the usual "repetitive songs"

Music is very important to me, alcohol and bar girls are not. Nothing personal, to each their own.

Who needs A dryer here in LOS ??

Leave it in the USA. Sell it, or Dump it, But dont bother to bring it. Just a wast of space here.

220 volt coffee machine from US works fine in thailand.

Is it worth the shipping charges when u can get one locally?

Tremendous post, thanks.

I too have a young child with grandma in thailand, mother abroad. Many similarities but some distinct differences between our cases, being positive for me.

In Thai family court a judge very firmly told wifes family THEY are responsible for supporting their family, and not me. The Judge and I both agreed I should cover her food and school costs.

Judges are not stupid nor are they fooled by obvious money grabbing tactics.

One week after that agreement I went to visit my daughter and was hassled to no end by family trying to get considerably more money. They said if I didn't, the following week I would lose a lot of money in court. Total, unsophisticated scamming lies, (to say it politely) They have done their best to block my access and it has taken threats of police intervention(not respecting Thai court) to get cooperation.

Anyway my lawyer agreed with me that paying it would only empower them to try to get more, and they are akin to terrorists, if not lower, in that they are using a child as a way to get money.

Clearly this mentality is not representative of thai people in general, but of some, and surely exists in developed countries as well, however in thailand westerners stand out to some people that see us as but a way to "get your money for nothing, and your checks for free"

I have developed friendships with upper society Thai people that have all sided with me, that is once they got to witness what wifes family is doing. One such friend said "the reason we do not socialize with them is not because they are poor, but because of their lifestyle"