spidermike007

For any rental in Thailand, I would always insist on paying the metered rate. Allowing landlords to get away with marking up electricity is a crime. Don't do it.

Definitely poodles and chihuahuas. They are the best.

Putin is engaging in an assault on civilization, humanity and democracy. He is a serial killing superfreak, who likes to prey on women and children. He needs to be dealt with. If not legally, than otherwise.

This is the same desperado who said he would be caretaker PM for only two years, then hold elections. What a phony. And this man who would say or do anything is asking the nation for additional years? For what? What have you done in your lousy 8 years besides move your country backwards? No thanks. See ya. Be gone.

Well, the organ harvesting is a domestic activity in China. Blame the heinous CCP. Don't think it happens much in Thailand, so that is just outlandish projection. Crime? Relatively minimal. Outside of Pattaya tourist zones, anyway. Many other complaints may be valid and justified. Thailand needs to calm down. Thin skin is not a healthy thing to have, nor is it appealing for adults. And real adults don't deflect so much. They address problems and move on. It is referred to as improvement.

That is a big part of a declining American culture. Super litigious. But, unfortunately the worst of what America has to offer, is spreading elsewhere. As long as me too does not become adapted here, all is good. So far, it seems to be thoroughly rejected by Thai women.

In the case of child custody, I hear they actually favor foreigners over most Thais, since it is all about the means and ability to support the child. I suppose it is case by case.

I disagree. If and when the law becomes egregious, it is incumbent upon us to disobey it. Period. Been here a long time. Never carry my passport unless leaving the country or doing banking or immigration that requires it. My Thai ID or DL has always been sufficient. And I also carry a color copy of my passport and visa page. Never had an issue. Carrying the original passport is not the kind of risk I need to take. Caught in a rainstorm? Had a bit too much to drink? No thanks.

Smoking on the beach is bad. Badly fouled air is OK. Nothing like locking up a tourist for smoking to engender goodwill and improve tourism. And to think that the tourist who posted about a bungee cord breaking damaged tourism. But somehow this doesn't? I don't like second hand smoke. But, I like intrusive and overbearing government officials even less.

Some are. Some aren't. Many don't do it full time. Some guys are really hung up on whether or not they are part time. Some aren't.

We refer to them as a part time freelancer, or a gal with a lighthearted approach to sex, who gets with a guy occasionally, for some extra cash. Very innocent, in my opinion. Many Western women weigh whether or not they are going to give up the "incredibly precious prize" with the quantity of nice meals, gifts, prizes, good wines and other "considerations", that a man has bestowed upon them. Isn't what a Thai freelancer does infinitely more honest? Most of them have alot more integrity than alot of Western civilians. And the Thai gals are alot less expensive. Infinitely less.

Many would choose Thaksin over Prayuth. Or his daughter. Or anyone. In comparison, Thaksin is a giant, who accomplished much for his people, and is beloved to this day, by millions. On the other hand, Prayuth has succeeded in sabotaging Thailand to the point where it may take many years to recover. He may be liked by 1 to 2% of the population. Maybe. At most. No positive policy. No good ideas. No forward vision. Nothing but oppression, repression, suppression, lies, fabrications, deflection, a total unwillingness to man up and take responsibility for anything, enrichment for the army, and his buddies, a totally failed leadership, a failed vaccination drive, a failed Covid recovery plan, economic destruction, and stunning sabotage of the once vibrant tourism industry. And little to no assistance to the millions who were living on scraps. If you had tried to reduce your nation from a once powerful giant tiger shark, to a tiny, insipid, sickly minnow, you could not have done a better job.

It is called victim culture, and is the polar opposite of the generations of the past. An advocate of wimp culture may called it repressed behavior, but these heros came back from the horrific experiences of WWII, and barely ever uttered a complaint. They just got on with their lives. There is a huge gap between a hero and a wimp.

Outstanding news and the correct decision. There could be a separate category. But, not women's sports. Totally unfair, unjust and just pandering to PC nonsense.

Absolutely not needed. Too risky. I always carry a color copy of the passport and visa page. Always been adequate. Helps to have a Thai ID of drivers license.

The tourist did nothing to harm Thai tourism. His revelations about the lack of maintenance is what hurt tourism. Let's get our facts straight, and be man enough to stop deflecting blame.

No. Of course not. But, he is the only one in recent Thai history who has done anything to benefit the common man. The goodwill from that cannot be over estimated. Universal health care represented the first time many Thais had access to health care that did not cause bankruptcy. What has the current crop of goons done for the people lately? It is always a choice between inferior choices in politics. Prayuth or Prawit are hugely inferior to even Justin Bieber.

Well, let us not forget she comes from the only family that passed policy that benefitted the common man, in the recent history of Thailand. Perhaps, ever. At least with this party, there is a possibility of some good and beneficial policy happening. With Cha Cha or Prawit the chances of good policy are zero. It is more backwards movement and more of the same toxic cronyism. They are the nothing men. They are both empty suits.

I make it a point to refuse to respond to these kinds of deadlines or pressure. You need a commitment today? OK, find someone else. I don't do that, and you mistook me for a sucker. It helps that I have been in sales and marketing my whole life, so I can see it coming from a mile away. And I tell them that. Look, you are selling to a salesman. You can't do that. I know what you are attempting to do. It won't work. Explain to me why I need to buy this item, or rent this place. Don't pressure me with fake tactics. See ya.

Thanks. Who are the real criminals here? I would venture to say it is the current party and PM. They just have not been charged yet, as their crimes have not been investigated.

So sorry to hear. Must be rough living in Thailand, and not liking Thai food. One of the my favorite things about living here.

A great Penang curry ranks right up there. I love it with fresh squid. Massaman curry is a close 2nd for that class of Thai food. I think great Thai food is the only cuisine I could eat every day, and not get tired of. Still love it after all these years. It helps that I love it spicy.

Let us hope it is the opposition. Anyone but the current army goons. Anyone. I may not agree with all they stand for, but anything but the status quo, who are moving the nation backwards, at an alarming pace.

You are suggesting real police work, and real reform. And billions lost. We can keep dreaming. But, we have two choices, really. Deal with the way life is conducted here, and not let the moral degradation and the double talk effect our peace of mind, or daily level of fulfillment. Or not. It is up to us. I may groan on this forum, but I do it with a grain of salt and a sense of fun. The nonsense does not affect me. I love it here. And I have gotten very good at keeping my head buried in the sand. It feels nice and cool down there.

There are a few things you can do to strengthen your liver. Pay careful attention to the quality of oil. Alot of food here is fried. When cooking at home, use only rice bran oil (easy to get here and inexpensive), sunflower or olive oil. All have high burn levels and are primarily unsaturated fat. The other thing you can do is start taking milk thistle extract. It is a wonder herb, that supports the liver. There is some evidence that it can aid in cirrhosis, and hepatitis, caused by excessive drinking, various diseases and viruses.