spidermike007

It means progress. Burning crops is so 14th century. When it fouls the air to the extent it does here, something needs to be done. And soon.

Rething this: 1. Fix the dozen things that needed to be addressed long before covid, which was a grand opportunity to improve the country, and not just sit on your lazy bums. 2. Give rich tourists an incentive to come here and stay. Start with lowering luxury taxes, thereby making yourselves competitive. Then move on to the ridiculously high wine taxes. 3. Then offer tax incentives and property ownership. You goons talk about high end expats and tourists. But you do nothing to attract them. Have you ever heard of the concept of making sacrifices to achieve a goal? Or does your wealth and hubris prevent that?

All insurance companies are like the mafia. Any excuse to not pay. It is always about finding a clause or an excuse to not fulfill their obligations and behave in an ethical fashion. I have no trust in any of them and use them as little as possible.

The extensive burning of sugarcane also contributes to the increase of PM2.5 in the atmosphere in the cane-growing and other provinces, including Bangkok. Huh? Was that tongue in cheek, or was that a serious statement? It is likely the single largest contributing factor. It causes deaths, COPD, lung disease, and lowers the quality of life for all. And it would be an easy fix. If the goons were serious about the well being of the public, for once in their lives. There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose- 1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh. 2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated. 3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land. The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

He is hated. He is immensely unpopular. Don't think I have ever heard anyone say a good word about him. The only way he could extend his reign, would be to buy the votes of people completely lacking any vision or perspective.

Yes, I have been traveling to the US often in the past 2 years. A half dozen trips. Two or three weeks and the perspective always returns. Always glad to return to Thailand, despite its many issues. Better than the US, on so many levels.

Let's do the math. 30,000,000 x 3,000 per vote. 90 billion baht. And the people are made to forget 8 years of miserly and bungling.

Well, the same could certainly be said of a carnival huckster. We need youth and vigor. Not old age and same, same.

Please and thank you do not seem to be common here. Cultural?

I have a far better idea than dumping your unwanted baby. How about using a condom? Or refraining from having sex. Or not allowing your guy to finish inside? Some common sense?

This is some seriously good journalism, when they are throwing around this level of poetry. invading the duck's nest burying the ferret randy rogering brazen bridge bonking Excellent work, guys. Keep it up.

Is this a new trend where they are calling out the establishment by name? That is a very healthy thing for society. Any culture that hides behind cowardly defamation laws cannot move forward, and is destined to stagnate.

There is alot of room for a whistle-blower here. The extent of the likely corruption and rot under Anutin, Cha Cha and the toxic Thai army would likely boggle the mind. Exposing them can only be good for the nation. It requires alot of nerve, of which Chuwit does not seem to be lacking.

He simply should have known better. Hard to feel sympathy for someone who makes it a habit to say really ignorant things about people. How do you label an entire race a hate group? That is dumb and dumber. Cancel culture is overwhelming these days. I don't like it. I don't like PC either. But if one is in the public eye, there has to be an awareness that expressing ignorance has a potentially high price.

I tend to agree. Other than the horrific air quality issue, that the so called leaders utterly refuse to address. Bangkok is a great city. It has alot going for it. Though I live elsewhere in Thailand, I sure love visiting.

Sorry about the duplicate post. Was trying to fix the tendency for the site to highlight some of a post.

Give someone a bit of power, and there is a chance they might abuse it. Having said that, most in a position of power, tend to behave themselves. Except some American cops, some Thai cops, and some bouncers. He is the one who needs to be slapped around.

Yes Cha Cha we all hope you will be deserted and rejected, to the fullest extent possible. You have failed the people on countless levels. And besides, what have you done for the common man in Issan? Besides put many of them out of work. And don't you remember your promise to be caretaker PM, for only 2 years, then turn over the helm to someone who is both capable and has leadership ability? What happened? Did the power and the wealth get to your head? I guess so.

Wow. Is that truly the best they can do? If so, it is a sad day for the opposition, and a dire look at what may be ahead. Thailand needs youth, vigor, ideas, hope, vision and fresh energy. Not more of the same.

One wonders why 98% of the population would not reject him, after the extreme sabotage he inflicted, and his stunning lack of leadership ability. Best to send him out to pasture where he can retire and enjoy his extreme wealth.

Yes. Tourism in Thailand is not advised for the next five years. Stay away. Enjoy your home country, or go to Italy, or South America.

Rich topic. No short answers here! I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there. As some of you know, I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak. I am in the US right now, and the prices and inflation are mind blowing. The cheapest lunch we have found was $30 for two. That is 1,000 baht, anytime you want something basic. A bag of groceries is 3,000 baht. A friend of mine is looking for an apartment to move to in LA, and really small, simple places are 70,000 baht per month. Nice two bedrooms are closer to 100,000 baht. Decent homes start at 125,000 baht per month. The cost of nearly everything has gone up dramatically. Runaway inflation? Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht! Prices in Thailand I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275. I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up. I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up. An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75. When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room. I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip. I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery. Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a beauty, with alot of attitude. I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative. So much of the information in this article means very little. One would only live in Bangkok, if they are a world capital sort of person. As much as I love Bangkok, and love spending time there, I would not want to live there full time. Of course, everyone is different. In the US, Australia, all of Europe, NZ, and Canada pricing for nearly anything is out of control, and only going up. Anything labor related? What cost us 500 baht here is $75-100 in Singapore, and $200 in Los Angeles. Sex? 4,000 baht in Singapore for 30 minutes. Here? And now that the saboteurs have nearly decimated the economy, my guess is that it is a renter's market in Bangkok, and it certainly is elsewhere in Thailand. Name your price, if you can find a desperado landlord, which many are now. Then there is the woman equation. Thai women are so comfortable with their femininity, it multiplies their level of attractiveness ten fold. And they do not seem to be afraid of dating, or relationships. Some of my friends and relatives in the US are married. Other than those, I know very few men in the US who are involved in relationships. It is a very, very ugly scene. No thanks.

Rich topic. No short answers here! I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there. As some of you know, I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak. Inflation in the US I am in the US right now, and the prices and inflation are mind blowing. The cheapest lunch we have found was $30 for two. That is 1,000 baht, anytime you want something basic. A bag of groceries is 3,000 baht. A friend of mine is looking for an apartment to move to in LA, and really small, simple places are 70,000 baht per month. Nice two bedrooms are closer to 100,000 baht. Decent homes start at 125,000 baht per month. The cost of nearly everything has gone up dramatically. Runaway inflation? Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht! Prices in Thailand I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275. I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up. I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up. An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75. When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room. I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip. I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery. Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a beauty, with alot of attitude. I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative. So much of the information in this article means very little. One would only live in Bangkok, if they are a world capital sort of person. As much as I love Bangkok, and love spending time there, I would not want to live there full time. Of course, everyone is different. In the US, Australia, all of Europe, NZ, and Canada pricing for nearly anything is out of control, and only going up. Anything labor related? What cost us 500 baht here is $75-100 in Singapore, and $200 in Los Angeles. Sex? 4,000 baht in Singapore for 30 minutes. Here? And now that the saboteurs have nearly decimated the economy, my guess is that it is a renter's market in Bangkok, and it certainly is elsewhere in Thailand. Name your price, if you can find a desperado landlord, which many are now.

It feels like colonialization and the war left a permanent scar on the collective soul of Vietnam that will not go away. Add in the commie government and it seems to be a foul mix. No thanks.

Very, very wise words. One might even say your advice would be ancient and powerful wisdom and truth. It is simply hedging your bets a little bit. Smart strategy. But, it takes a real man to behave I such a way that pays tribute to his gender. Many come here and are so thoroughly emasculated, they could not even dream of behaving in such a masculine manner. I know a guy who came to Thailand, and on the first day of his trip he met a hooker at the Nana Plaza Disco, fell madly in love with her (he was already 38 so she had probably been north of 4,000 tricks), yet he fell for her and a few months later he told her that he had sold a house in Los Angeles and pocketed 1.5 million dollars profit. Can anyone even fathom a guy doing something like that? Something so utterly stupid and clueless? Trying to impress a hooker. The first thing she did was tell him build a house, no questions asked, let's just do it, you need to do it and he didn't resist. As soon as it was finished she moved her whole family in and she informed him they could not live there. What can one even say? He literally broke every rule there is. When someone does something like this now, we call it "pulling a Michael". He is still married to her with 3 kids. He doesn't like her, she now lives in the US, and he spends most of his time in Thailand. A fool and his money. Michael.