spidermike007

Speeding, illegal lane change, fleeing from speed traps, just riding around Pattaya on a motorbike, and being a target for "opportunistic franchisees". I pay as little respect to the cops as I possibly can, unless they have a valid cause. It usually works. They do not like the extra effort required when someone pushes back. In the US, I would likely get gunned down, or locked up for my lack of respect and deference. Not here. Never even came close. If the cop is not cooperating, I ask for his superior.

Hindsight is a terrible thing. I had so many opportunities, and a financial mentor who wanted to lead me by the hand, and show me how to be financially independent and wealthy, by the time I was 50. He became a multi millionaire, using his real estate instincts. Had I followed his lead, I would have been there too. It was a combination of cowardice, lack of vision, and the desire to enjoy today, without regard for tomorrow. If I think about it too much, it makes me crazy, at this stage of my life. Instead, I try to focus on the many things I have to be grateful for, the wonderful choice I made by moving here, and the many blessings I have in my life. What else can we do?

The drive from Hua Hin to Bangkok can be horrendous. The massive number of trucks on the road really slow down the drive. And the traffic in Samut Sakorn is terrible. I only make the drive through Samut past 9pm, or before 5am, or on Sundays. Thailand desperately needs alternative to the choked and over crowded highways, and is now paying the price for 70 years of regressive policy, and ignoring alternative means of moving cargo. Secondarily, if anyone ever gets their act together, Hua Hin could end up being a very practical regional hub for air traffic. It is currently one of the least utilized airports in the world, much less Thailand.

The authorities will say anything to deflect from the real cause of the demise of tourism. Years of neglect. Extremist and highly selective shutdowns of business and tourism. Sabotage of the nightlife. I could go on all day.

Total defiance. I do it often with the police here. It works most of the time. You want 1,000 baht? That is not going to happen. Here is 100. See ya. I just say absolutely not. Get out of my face. Most of the time they back down.

As many of us know, 5 years ago this entire planet was a different world. So much has changed. Covid seems to have brought out the ugly side of humanity, and alot of the inflation we are seeing is simply opportunistic. All related costs have gone up, and mango prices have dropped. It is really that simple. That could correct itself in the medium term. Also, the value of the land has gone up. So, at some point we could cash out, if things don't change.

Really? Is that all you got? Such a charitable heart. Do you honestly think the majority (most is what, 60% or more?) of expats who live in Pattaya, Samui and Phuket are losers? Why? Because they like younger women? Because they won't and don't put up with the "me too nonsense" back in their home countries? Because they were courageous and wise enough to make the move here? That sounds line my definition of a winner.

From Thap Sakae and to the south it seems to be far rainier. North to from there to PKK seems to be a dry zone. Kuibiri to the north gets more rain.

Perhaps it is the definition of love that we seem to be a gulf apart on. Someone having your back all the time. Alot of affection, kindness, humor, joking, playing and warm, loving mannerisms. Trust, emotional consistency and devotion too. Perhaps many are not fortunate enoigh to find all that, but I would most certainly define it as true love. Granted, it is the only relationship, where I have experienced this. And most couples that I see, that have been together for many years, do seem to either co-exist, or are simply companions. Some do not even seem to like each other.

I would not consider those numbers impressive for a hybrid, many of which get better mileage around town. That was the major appeal for me, when considering this car. We ended up choosing the Mazda CX-30. Sportier, better looking, and a more enjoyable drive. It gets around 15 - 16 km. per liter on the highway, and is really fun to drive. The upside to the Cross is the size. It is far roomier. It was very hard to get reliable info about the Cross online, at the time we were looking to buy. Dependable battery, mileage, etc.

Who is supposed to issue these fines? I would like to see one of these goons even attempt to fine me. It would be a very amusing thing to witness. Such stupidity. What can one even say?

The ignorant goons heading this agency know very little about anything, much less tourism. They just assume all foreigners are loaded with cash. And even more mistakenly, they assume Thailand is still attractive to wealthy tourists, which it is not for most. Tourism will remain deflated for years to come. Too many mistakes have been made here. Too much destruction. Too little improvement. Too much hubris.

Prachuap, between Thap Sakae and Muang Prachuap is the sub Saharan region of Thailand. The rain shadow of the Burmese mountains seems to cause the storms to divert around it. Most of the year it is hot and dry. You like Phoenix? Try Prachuap.

Defamation should be made into a sport, when the culprits are committing robbery. We must resist these stupid, cowardly laws and make them irrelevant. Laws written by cowards, for cowards. Sue me. Go for it.

Vert true. Fortunately before moving here I read 5 or 6 of the "things to watch out for with Thai women" books. They were full of tales of woe, good tips, and invaluable insights. I recommend that to any single guy planning on moving here. Most come very unprepared, and very vulnerable emotionally, and many women here are well coached, and know exactly what to say. Especially if it is a bar or massage gal. My gal used to sent me these silly romantic poems when I was back in the US. She copied them from a book. I could see that right away, and told her to stop being ridiculous. She stopped the nonsense.

Ex mayor Chaiwat Inanong or "Tam" went on his Facebook page to condemn the activity saying: "I don't know who you are but you're not doing this in my hometown". He or a representative planned to go to the police today to stop all this public nakedness on the eastern seaboard of Thailand. Good luck with that. Another fake puritan, ranting over nothing. Let them have some fun. Who is being harmed. And how do I book tickets, anyway?

That is exactly my point. There is alot to work with here, so why act like a desperado, and move too quickly, allow yourself to succumb to her pressure, her timetable, and her demands, before really getting to know her, and before determining her degree of worthiness of your devotion? The problem is, to do this effectively a man needs to have alot of self esteem, patience, and willingness to walk away, if the pressure is more than one wants to deal with. Women here almost always push the timeline and it is up to us to push back. No, I do not think so.

I know people who fell off a motorbike, or fell down and hit their head on the pavement. One still cannot walk, or talk or function on her own, 7 years later, after falling from a motorbike accident, where she hit her head on the pavement going only 20 kph. The other one has lost alot of his mental capacity after hitting his head. One small fall, and he now seems 15 years older. I know another guy who went to the bathroom, slipped while moving away from a urinal on a tile floor, and fell. He died instantly at the age of 29. When someone falls and hits their head on the pavement, all bets are off. When fighting one always has to be conscious of this possibility, if you knock someone down. And to knock someone down in a minor fight, watch the guy hit his head, and either pass out, or worse, then drive away, is positively unforgivable under 99% of circumstances. It is not as if they were fighting for their lives. Certain rules apply in a typical street fight. Are we decent human beings, or vicious, cruel animals?

Well, we all seem to have a very different definition of what girlfriend is, or is not. I hear some men or women talk about being in love with someone after knowing them two weeks. All that is, is anxiety, impatience, and the intense desire to be in love. Some are more in love with the idea of being in love, than with the person they are with. I think for most of us who are emotionally healthy, the idea of taking one's time to really get to know someone, is alot more informative and desirable, than just losing oneself in the moment. I have seen countless men lose their fortunes, or at least their financial stability here, by moving too fast, assuming she is someone she definitely is not, and projecting too much onto someone they have not bothered to really get to know, and allowing the woman to push the agenda. Always push back against a timeline. Always. It is far better to lose the woman, than to unnecessarily lose your money and feel like a fool.

This is easily misunderstood by alot of Western men. A ship needs a captain. Most relationships needs an alpha. Whether it is the man or the woman. In the West, most are captained by the woman, and the man takes a submissive role. Here, women prefer men to act like men, and take charge. If you don't, she will, but most women here would prefer not to. I do not boss her around. But, she loves when I am strong, and decisive. It is very healthy role playing, and she is able to be a real woman, and I am able to act like a man. We both love it. Alot of very healthy relationships are played out like this. Some men just cannot wrap their minds around a woman manifesting the incredibly gorgeous dignity within femininity, and enabling their man to behave like a strong and healthy man.

Yes, after dating for two years, and living together for another 7 years, I felt I had invested enough time into getting to know her and her family. We were married after being together for 9 years. Enough time? And I would do it all over again. She is a wonderful woman, and is more than my equal, on so many levels. She deserves whatever she gets, or is given. It is all about worthiness. And that takes alot of time to determine.

It could be a miracle if Thailand could accomplish what few other nations have been able to. But, with all the genius minds in this cabinet, perhaps it is possible. Especially when you consider the talents of the health minister, the chief justice, the power of the courts, and the upstanding nature of the cops.

I think when you have too much money and too much power, you tend to lose touch with reality. Also, being surrounded by yes men likely does not help. Nothing he does or says at this point means anything, to most people. He has lost all credibility.

Why would they be scared of the police? These guys do not inspire awe, nor are they particularly good law enforcement officers. And when they make a threat of enforcing the law, it does tend to invite scepticism.

I think a man can treat woman as a equal, with a great deal of kindness and respect, and still maintain his standards, and be willing to walk away, if at any point that she demonstrates she is not worthy of his devotion. And most importantly, take his time. One thing has nothing to do with the other.