rattlesnake

Mostly decent middle-class people from what I have seen.

Zebra crossings are definitely very dangerous. You could get rear-ended indeed, but also if you stop, you encourage pedestrians to cross and then be knocked down by the moron speeding on the other lane. Never ever assume you have priority on a roundabout, most Thais don't understand what they are and treat them as weirdly shaped roads. Turning on the indicator means "I am changing lanes" and it is your responsibility slow down and let them go, if you don't they will knock you down and you will be the farang "mai roo luang" ("doesn't have a clue").

Why don't you ask her?

I understand where you are coming from, but I believe the premise (that farang residents have spare money they are willing to give to the Thai state) is flawed. The majority of retirees in Thailand are here because life in their home country has become unsustainable and they are looking for somewhere where their modest pensions can provide them with a decent existence. Double taxation is a very daunting prospect for these people (I recently spoke to a couple of French retirees and this is stressful for them, bearing in mind they came here looking to relieve some of their stress, not add some). They are going to leave and settle elsewhere, this is certain. I believe the Thai government is going to backpedal big time within a year from now.

I am personally witnessing expats leaving in droves (overreacting IMO, but that is the situation). When the Thai authorities realise by next year that the initial intent (to fill the coffers) is having the opposite effect (less expats, less investment, damaged image compared to neighbouring countries…), I expect them to simply shove it under the carpet, where it will be just one more "terrible good idea that doesn't get enforced".

This is the key point.

Now that sounds more realistic!

Absolutely. It is simply never going to happen.

Why don't you unsubscribe? Trump hatred really is a medical condition.

I would look on Thai language websites, if you don't read Thai, do you know a Thai who could look for you? Plenty of Thais rent townhouses for 4-5k.

He won the last election but it was stolen from him.

Trump owes his political success to his protectionist and isolationist policies, which is what people want.

Harris should be able to refute any BS he says easily, if she's as wonderful as people are suggesting in this thread.

Donald Trump Agrees to Kamala Harris Debate, Calls Her 'Crazy' https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-kamala-harris-debate-fox-news-crazy-joe-biden-1934117

I would also recommend a foot rest, it is very beneficial for posture and circulation.

Educate yourself.

This is the body of a biological male. The hip/shoulder ratio doesn't lie. Males and females are born with different skeletons (female hips are wider for childbirth) and hormonal imbalances don't change that.

It was a terrible idea and many people warned the mayor Anne Hidalgo, but as usual she wouldn't listen.

Thanks. I started a reddit thread on it and several people confirmed it is not required, with specific examples of DLT staff even refusing to do it and telling them to change it when renewal time comes.

The athletes who dare to swim in the Seine are falling sick as it is absolutely disgusting, it's very dangerous. It's a (predictable) fiasco.

The chances of being stabbed by a djihadi radical are much lower in Thailand.

Agree with you, it was unbearably disgusting, sheer abomination.

You're in the wrong country if you're looking for "normality" and "sophistication". Now of course, I see a fundamental contradiction when I see a complaint about poor communication and immediately afterwards an admission to lacking the skills to communicate.