tomahawk

I worked in prison in NY for 25 years and 15 years as lieutenant. During that time I was chief of investigations for 8 years and watch commander for 7 as well as riot squad commander, so I know something of prison. However I am no expert on Thai prisons, and only know what I read. I will say though that in 25 years I met thousands of inmates and perhaps there was 1 who I thought did not belong there. To actually get to the point of doing state time in NY you either have to do something really heavy, like murder, or have been convicted of numerous previous offenses. Which usually means there were other crimes which guy did not get caught. I think there are plenty of people who should be in prison, but aren't. Not so many the other way around.

I have been involved in several prison riots in NY and was the comander of the riot squad for 8 years, and never heard of riot cauased by confiscated cell phones. They were contraband and all the inmates knew it and took it for granted it would be confiscated and they would be locked up if they were caught with one, which was very rare. The big problem was getting the employees from bringing them into the prison, as they were not allowed to do this either. First time a guard or employee was caught doing this was usually 3 month suspension. Second time they got fired. One time I fogot i had it i n my pocket and I was talking to the captain when it rang. Luckily he cut me a break that time. As for transferring prisoners, this is standard procedure following a riot. The main participants get shipped off around the state, or in this case the country, and if found guilty of being involved get locked in cell a long time. This is Thailand though so I dont know what happens next. Perhaps they will jst take them out and shoot them. I often wished we could have done that back in NY, actually.

North Korea has reportedly been supplying Burma with technology for Burma to eventually produce nuclear weapons. They do not have them yet. But this is as you say very bad news.

Strange thing about this is I went to balloon festival at MaeJo University and upon leaving thousands of people were jammed together on narrow walkway. I was thinking then it would not take much to start a stampede and many people would die. In fact a bridge did collapse and many people fell in water, but I do not think anyone was injured. farang I know that was there complained it was poor planning by organizers of event, but I said at least it was less likely Asian people would stampede, as they are more patient and used to being in mobs. It turns out sadly that I was wrong. However, not to defend Cambodian police, but I was head of riot squad in US and I can tell you once a crowd like this goes out of control, not much police can do to stop it quickly. Still, using water cannons on electric wires is pretty stupid. The fault largely lies with those who organized the event, in my opinion.

Why don't you give it a rest, Sergi. Russians have been murdering civilians in Chechnya, Georgia, afghanistan and half the world since forever. There is no way you can have any credibility complaining about war crimes and atrocities of US. As for Victor Bout. He is totally innocent right? I think probably he won all his millions of dollars in the lottery, which he will donate to orphans and greenpeace. Communism is dead and USSR is finished. Get over it.

Why don't you give it a rest, Sergi. Russians have been murdering civilians in Chechnya, Georgia, afghanistan and half the world since forever. There is no way you can have any credibility complaining about war crimes and atrocities of US. As for Victor Bout. He is totally innocent right? I think probably he won all his millions of dollars in the lottery, which he will donate to orphans and greenpeace. Communism is dead and USSR is finished. Get over it.

Thank you very much prothaiepat.

Perhaps an American on forum can answer this question. If I marry woman in Thailand, would she be entitled to my social security benefits when I die? Thank you.

As I wrote before on forum I think best massage, either oil massage or Thai massage, is at Maripaun Salon and Thai Traditional Massage on Maejo Road. They have showers, air-con and 3 excellent masseuses. Price for oil massage is 250 baht per hour. It is on left side Maejo road heading from CM to Maejo. 6.5 km from Rimping market at meechok Plaza. Just go to second traffic light, make u-turn and come back towards Chiang Mai. Shop is betweenr Wawee Cofee and Wang Buathong muban. There are signs out front. It is best to make appointment. Phone number is 0852849118.

In US, I worked as counter-terrorism consultant and attended many meetings and seminars regarding possible terrorist threats. One of the most likely and also potentially most dangerous involving exploding chlorine gas tankers. As a result, announcemets were sent out by homeland security to anyone manufacturing, storing or transporting chlorine to secure their supply and create a constant and accurate inventory. Now it seems here that chlorine is unsecured and just floats away in the water. This is in an area with constant terrorist attacks. Hopefully publicizing this incident will prompt government to address this problem. Very scary, as are the future proposed nuclear electric plants.

Thank you very much zzdocxx. I plan to someday get this ablation if I have the money, which I do not right now and also no insurance. You explained it much better than eithr doctor here or in US. One thing doctor in US told me is that he thought Thailand doctor was too quick to recomment the ablation. The dr. here made it sound as simple as pulling ttoth out, but the doctor in US said as you did that is a bit more serious than this and their should be more tests first.

I hear Obama is spending Christmas with Thaksin and Harry Patterson.

I think the real issue here is that there is more interest in where President Obama is going than where the president of Russia goes. Whatever his name is. Cold War is over. get over it.

I know Russia and Harry Patterson. Both used to be wealthy communists. Now bankrupt capitalists.

Yes thank you PMNL that is what it is.

No I think they just lowered prices. When I used to go there the rates were posted and it was 50 bt for everyone.

The gym in mooban near rimping is called jia jia. It is 500 bt per month for gym and 500 bt per month for pool so if you want to use both is 1000 bt. It is 50 bt. per day and also pay separately for gym and pool. There are few farang there and I believe they prefer it that way. Other farang have told me same thing. I went there daily for 2 years when I lived in the area as it was closest gym to my house and was convenient. They have decent weight facilities, though it is meant for Thais. I could bench press their entire supply of weights at one time. Also they have little for aerobic training exscept some elliptical machines which are usually broken. Gym is closed mondays.

Thanks again. I will be sure to get some watermelon. I never knew it helps blood pressure but I love it so why not? I have been drinking chrysanthemum tea and cocoa a lot as these are good too, they say. I wish I could remember what doctor called condition zzdocxx but I cannot except it was some kind of ventricular tachycardia. I was playing badminton with lttle kid, not very strenuous game, and I actually felt my heart beating fast in my chest. otherwise I did not feel any symptoms such as short of breath, chest pains etc. Although I have had heart palpitations for years, this is first time it had ever been so fast.

Thank you ktamp and everyone. I will take advice and keep taking pills and also go back to heart doctor.

zzdocxx I forgot to answer other question but I did used to get dizzy when standing up fast but doctor cut down medication by 50 per cent and no longer have this problem. Only symptom maybe from pills now is sometimes very tired but I also do not get very much sleep so I do not know if this effect of pills or insomnia.

Thank you very much Sheryll and zzdocxx. To answer questions I have been to cardiologists and had numerous ekg tests which they say show I have some kind of tachycardia which I cannot pronounce but is some kind of electrical condition in ventricle. My heart rate before I started taking pills was often about 86-90 but on day I went to hospital was over 230 bpm. I do take my pulse rate for full minute as doctor said same thing about doing this. Reason doctor gave me beta blocker was he said it was to slow heart rate as well as for blood pressure. He said if I did not take beta blocker I should have ablation operation, but doctor in US said he would not advise I do this.

I will tell you my experience and perhaps it will help you and maybe not, but I hope so. About 20 years ago I was working in prison in US. My regular job was sergeant assigned to guarding prisoners in AIDS ward at hospital. However one night I was working at prison and became involved in major use of force with an inmate. During this altercation I was exposed to inmate's blood and got it in my eyes and mouth. I immediately poured bleach over my face and body which burned skin but of course did not pour it into eyes or mouth. Inmate had never been given HIV test but was known IV drug user.

As I was daily surrounded by patients with AIDS, I became obsessed with idea I was HIV positive. I would not go near my wife and children and was afraid to take test, but I did get tested and nurse who gave test said to me,

Are you an alcoholic?" I did not know how she knew that I had drinking problem, but it turns out she herself was recovering alcoholic. Fact was I had not had a adrink in 7 months until night of incident. That night I started drinking again and it got to point I would drink at work at hospital and almost all day long. Nurse said she was not worried about me having AIDS, but was worried I would drink myself to death.

I got tested and it was negative, and started attending Alcoholics Anonymous. Like you I had every symptom of AIDS and HIV and there turned out to be an explanation for all of them which was not AIDS.

If you have been tested and it is negative you are fine and stop worrying. However,YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE. If you do not, someday the thing which you feared will likely come true.

I have gotten very good advice here from Sheryl and others so I will try again. Three years ago I was in hospital here from high blood pressure and tachycardia (fast heart beat). Now I take 25 mg prenolol 2x a day and now my heartbeat is very slow, often 40 bpm. I have done 30-60 minutes aerobic exercise almost every day for last 3 years and lost 20 kgs. I also have not had alcohol in over 2 years and do not smoke.I am 57 years old. My 2 daughters are nurses and say my heart is too slow and I should cut down medication. My doctor here says heart rate no problem because I exercise a lot and these pills slow heart rate down and since I seem okay otherwise I should keep taking pills. My blood pressure is good sometimes and sometimes it is not. I have been to 2 doctors here and 3 back home and every one changes medication. If anyone has advice or experience I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

I believe Thailand really really does not want to have to choose side between US-China. Still I believe it will side with US. They would be crazy not to. In a real war China has no chance against US, but they know this and are not stupid so I think will not come to that. China has too many people and they are very unhappy with govt. if China does not change way it treats its own people they will ruin their chance to be a major power. I have friend who just came from China who says there are worker demonstrations everyday no one even hears about in west. To answer one guy who says no one cares about US, I yhink the truth is no one cares about Russia, especially since they lost cold war and their country fell apart.

The best massage I have gotten as I have posted before here is at Maripaun Traditional Massage on Maejo Road. This is totally legit as you say and I know from others the masseuse and owners refuse to do anything not legit or extra. The masseuses there are great and thanks to massage their I am free of pain despite 2 herniated disks. They give very deep and strong massage and will make as strong or light as you ask, but I prefer strong as this is what helps me most. Also the thai massage is only 120 baht per hour. The salon is on Mae Jo Road. Travelling from Rimping market at meechok Plaza, you drive towards Mae Jo and massage shop and beauty salon is 6.5 kms from Rimping. Turn right at second stoplight and come back towards Rimping. There is a Wawee Coffee right before shop, and there are signs out front as well as big sign on second floor of building, which is 3 story shophouse. Maripaun is last shop in row, right next to driveway from Wang Bua Thong muban.