spidermike007

Yes. I tip maids, I tip in all restaurants, I even tip repairmen, and food delivery folks, who do good, hard work, and make very little. The amount I tip means very little to me, but it makes a big difference for them. And it is also good for us, as it keeps our hearts open, not to mention leading to better service, next time. Generosity benefits both the giver and the recipient. Being a grinch in this lifetime does not.

True. But karma is very complex. Interpreting it at face value is comparable to taking the bible literally. It takes great wisdom to understand truth. So, is there actual merit in feeding stray dogs, which leads to prolonging their lives, which leads to a multitude of attacks on children and other innocents? Does that lead to good karma, or is it a form of myopia?

And this is the true definition of heroism, patriotism, courage, and facing fear. Kudos to her. She speaks out regardless of whether or not it will change anything, or put her in danger. She speaks out, because it is the right thing to do, in the face of pure greed, total indifference to your people, avarice, and absolute moral bankruptcy.

Anything Taiwanese is far more special than it's Chinese counterpart. Anything.

Stop investing for awhile and buy a new car. Many think the market is due for a major correction this year. The car may be a far better place for your money at this time. Also, we managed to get a zero percent loan on our Mazda. Hard to beat that.

It is highly debatable whether or not there is any sort of merit in feeding and prolonging the lives of stray dogs. However, this is obviously a very kind woman, with a big heart. And there is nothing wrong with honoring someone like that. I like it.

Depends on the snake. Trump claims he only need 3 hours of sleep. Though one must question the veracity of that claim. On a more serious note, the answer to this question depends on if the snake is diurnal or nocturnal. Diurnal snakes sleep during the night and are active in the day, while nocturnal snakes sleep through the day and are active at night.

I have long said that the RTP are highly incompetent. Now, they are shown even to be incompetent when it comes to destroying evidence of a crime they have committed. You could not make this stuff up. They are a highly corrupt version of the Keystone cops.

I have long considered banks themselves to be thieves, now we have an employee who puts a face to the bank robbing theme. Lock him up for a long time. Let him reflect on his predatory ways.

It sure says alot about the party, that she has not only not been reduced to pariah status, but rather been embraced and promoted. Anyone listening to her speeches simply has to realize the level of insanity and fanaticism.

The only thing that makes sense is that they tolerate us, but really don't want us here. Perhaps ex-pats should be given a bit more credit, in this formula? We do bring in alot of stable income. Even the rural folks benefit. Alot of the nicer houses in the poorer farming areas were built with money from expats. Alot of trucks, cars and income is from expats. Countless business employing many. To say it is insignificant, is a blatant misunderstanding of Thai economics. Thousands of hotels, restaurants, countless airlines and many tour companies, also benefit. By comparison, an average ex-pat spends how much per month? I would say alot of us spend 50,000 to upwards of 100,000 baht a month. I know I do. No value in that? I know some live on less. However, since the average GDP of the nation is around $570, that means about 18,000 baht a month? I think xenophobia is utterly rampant, in all segments of the government here, from the feds right on down to the local amphur. However, I do not think most Thai people are that way. I think most either like us, or are indifferent to us. Which I can handle. I think ex-pats should be treated with the kind of respect and acknowledgement we deserve. We have decided to change our policies, and we now realize how much you guys bring to the table. An immigration officer will now come to your home to renew your visa, to show our appreciation, of your continued support. You will only be required to sign one form, and we will give you a five year, multiple entry visa. Free of charge. And we will include a 10,000 baht voucher, good for any hotel in the country, for one year. Princely treatment. Thank you so much for helping to rescue our economy and our people. We appreciate it, and aim to show it for a change! We are past the era of thugs like the big joke. And we apologize for all of his abuse. We realize we have been moving the country backwards. And Covid has given us all some time to reflect. We are going to start changing things, and attempt to move the nation forward, instead of backwards.

Only once did a zealous agent insist on weighing my bag. It was over. I convinced them to let it go. Since then, I hide the bag. Never even seen a scale at the gate. Never been an issue and we are talking 60 flights or more. And how is an over weight carry on a security issue. Please clarify that. They screen the bags before boarding. Makes no sense.

This is entirely about the lack of profits on the part of the government tobacco monopoly. It has nothing to do with health. Breathing one day's air in Bangkok is likely comparable to a months worth of vaping. And vaping is legal in most countries, so this is just another example of Thailand being out of step with the nations of the world. If a cop hassles you just tell them to call your buddy Phiphat.

This will have no bearing on the bent superior officers, all the way up the chain of command. It is a way of life, and it is the rule, NOT the exception. The only reason these officers are being disciplined at all, is because it is international news, and there is egg on the face of the RTP. They have to appear to be doing something. In reality, will anything change or improve?

Let them revolt. Feed them, give them snacks, keep them off the roads. All they are doing is moaning about better priced competitors stealing business from them, and preventing them from acts of piracy. Put down the pirates. Just say no to nonsense and creeps.

Talk is so cheap. Real men act, perform and demonstrate, rather than blabber. There is alot of work to be done in your city. Show us something. Then, and only then will you be taken seriously, Thanapong. Until then you will be regarded as just another showboating police chief of Pattaya, and paid very little regard. Apart from caring for visitors, Thanapong said that he would also take care of and keep all 400 police officers at the station in line, adding all officers were enthusiastic to go above and beyond expectations for the betterment of the city. So, why are many of us skeptical, about the above and beyond expectations promise?

Why will that make any difference, unless it is backed up by action, projects to improve air quality, and enforcement? Something these goons appear to have no interest in.

Hold on. I thought China was in lock down until recently. When they say Thailand is among the most searched for destinations among Chinese, are they somehow equating that with actual visits? Or is this simply another projection of the numbers?

I am the big man. Don't you realize how omnipotent my authority is? Why am I constantly being questioned about these kinds of things? Do you guys actually think this is some kind of democracy? What made you think such a thing? Why don't you show me the respect and fealty I deserve?

Beacuse many of us utterly refuse to pay 2,000 baht per kilo and up for the good stuff. The cheese I buy from the store is wrapped. Not vacuum sealed. Never had an issue, and I fly from LA. It is at least 30 hours of more between my home in LA, to the airport, the flight to Bkk, and then to my hotel in Bkk.

No. Always hand luggage as it maintains a cooler temperature. No issues with security or customs. I have never declared as much as 10 kilos of cheese and have never had my carry on inspected upon arrival. The room temps are not an issue for a day or two.

If any of these entities are not asking for it, withdrawing it, or aware of it, by all means don't pay it. Only those who are overly compliant, or not rich enough, pay substantial taxes.

I consider the biggest joke to have no credibility. He is a master of PR and a publicity hound. Deos he ever really accomplish anything?

Few allow it. Defiance is the key word here. I always hide my carry on in front of the counter. When they ask me if I have one, I say NO. When I walk away sometimes they shout out at me, and I always ignore them. Compliance in the face of ignorant and greedy rules is not something I am interested in. Comply if you like. No thanks for me.

Just another example of Tik tok, Twitter and Instagram being very toxic and harmful to the public.