spidermike007

I was told recently a full knee replacement was 300,000 to 400,000 at a private hospital. Seen higher prices online. The same orthopedic surgeon works at a public hospital and said likely around 200,000 baht there, including several nights of stay, during recuperation.

Even with...most Thais masked up outdoors, Thailand is still infinitely more delightful than most of the world, right now. I just ignore the masks, and won't wear them outdoors, unless it is a very crowded area. Most foreigners don't. We seem to be less indoctrinated. The numbers are way down here. Time to calm down.

Correct. Part of the reason for high inflation, is the willingness of people to pay stupid prices for things. If people were sensible, and just said NO, companies would not be able to get away with the "post Covid larceny".

While this is partly true, the extent to which the economy was decimated here represents a real crisis, and a huge level of malfeasance. Many other nations are doing quite well, and have recovered nicely. Cowardly nations such as China and Thailand were devastated. The tourism industry here may have been permanently damaged. They kept the nation shut for far too long. China is far worse. The clinging to the zero Covid policy is sheer idiocy.

You are absolutely right. Good point. I don't care much. Just mentioned it. But, thick skin and a lack of victim culture are good things. We need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Too many are claiming to be victims of this and that. Thanks for the reminder not to be petty.

So sad. I suppose as reasonably healthy, respectful and decent people, it is hard to wrap our minds around a crime like this. Who are these people? Who would be capable of inflicting this on a fellow human? Why? Not making a statement about Thailand. This kind of thing seems to happen all over the world. More of a reflection of humanity, and the collectively depraved state of mind, of the pathologically insane. Hope they find the killer and lock him up. A quick death would be more appropriate to the crime. There are some lines people cross in this life, that I think represent the self revocation of the right to breathe oxygen.

Nobody knows the true extent of the corruption and rot. But, it is likely massive, systemic and beyond belief. It is all about the money. That is all these guys worship. It is their golden calf. Whatever can be done to get rid of this spactacularly toxic party the better. And if it is done in such a way as to humiliate and disgrace Prawit and Prayuth even better. They richly deserve that, after nearly destroying their own county, through sheer greed, power mongering and ignorance. It would be even better if they could be brought to trial and imprisoned. Though, that is likely just a fantasy. The regressive dinosaurs need to go. And let us hope and pray there are younger, more forward thinking, more capable, and less selfish people to take their place.

True. But some don't like the term. And it depends on the context. Farang is basically a neutral word, but people who respect you (or who should respect you) will not use it - if you hear a work colleague, for example, refer to you as farang they probably mean it as an insult while a taxi driver or market vendor doing the same is unlikely to mean any offense at all. https://www.into-asia.com/thai_language/farang.php

If they get locked up, nobody will miss them. I have no problem with that. Ganga is different. But, the junk they are peddling is just that.

Most of my friends and I are referring to ourselves as foreigners these days. I am not a PC guy, nor am I thin skinned. But, I leave that term farang to those who do not know any better. At a minimum it means white skinned outsider.

When I was 19, I backpacked across Europe for 8 months. I did not plan well and started running low on funds. I bought some coral necklaces in Italy and sold them in Holland. Also bought some gorgeous hand stamped brass platters in Morocco and sold them on the French Riviera. Made good money with it. There are opportunities for enterprising young souls. I am not sure if allowing foreigners to sell junk on the sidewalks is a good idea. Just not sure.

The only area where I find it quite hard to get a taxi who is OK using the meter is the Nana area. Been refused many times there. Guess they figure there are alot of out of touch tourists around. Also, when it is raining, they tend to be less likely to want to use the meter.

Yes, we are not responsible for anything. No matter what we do, no matter how we behave, no matter how badly we disrespect the environment, it could never affect the earth. The planet is simply too stable and too large. Don't blame us.

Where do they find these "experts"? 2022 has had 6 very heavy rain days so far, therefore it will be much wetter than usual. Such genius on display.

The (TPAF2W) "typical Prayuth administration, all is forgotten 2 weeks after a crisis" period has passed. We have seen this so many times before. These guys do not follow up. They just don't care.

Wrong. Their wives don't spend on luxury brands here. And neither do other tourists. The duty is just too high. People with money are not stupid. They can get the same bag in Singapore for less than half of what the cost is here. I have rarely ever seen anyone in one of those boutiques here. Same goes for fine wine. The numskulls who created these taxes simply priced themselves out of the market.

99% of the time someone smashes into a parked vehicle it is due to a lack of attention, to the very serious, and very dangerous task at hand. Many Thais are extremely casual about driving, and seem to have little understanding of the dangers involved, and the need to be 100% focused, at all times. Especially on a motorbike. The other 1% is due to a blown tire, an animal running across the road, being cut off by a maniac, etc.

It takes certain qualities to survive on the roads here. Patience, being very conscious of your surroundings, driving defensively, avoiding excessive speed, especially in town, following basic traffic rules and laws and avoiding being overly stupid, at all times. Darwin was right. The theory of natural selection, means we all have to exhibit certain survival skills, to thrive in this world. Self protection is just one of those skills. Some have it, some do not. Those of us with driving skill, and a strong desire for not only survival, but the avoidance of terrible injury, are constantly scanning the road, in front of us, beside us, and behind us. There are an exceptionally high number of reckless fools on these roads, and it is the only way to preserve our lives, and those of our families, and friends, who may be driving with us, and depending on us.

While he is at it, might I suggest he encourage them to stop working the franchise long enough to practice some actual law enforcement, and traffic safety? Or would that require the doubling of salaries, the government refuses to do, out of astonishing ignorance and indifference?

I have never understood the aversion Thais have to both learning how to swim, and teaching, or making sure their kids get taught how to swim. It takes 15 minutes to learn basic survival skills in water. 15 minutes! A friend of mine told me he offered to teach a friend's daughter how to swim, in his pool, when they were over the house. The grandmother was so scared, she forbade it. And it was totally safe. So easy, so simple to learn. Fear can be an incredible thing, and it can be your worst enemy, if you let it. There is so much water here, it should be mandated learning in school.

This would be a horrendous choice, and would set the nation back 50 years. Thailand needs youth, fresh energy, progressive ideas and someone capable of moving the nation forward. Not another stegosaurus. These creeps are very unpopular. They need to stop plaguing the nation with their toxic presence.

Any alternatives to the overly choked highways is a good thing and welcome.

In a free and open poll, it is doubtful their approval rating would be over 5%. They are despised like never before. They have failed the nation and deserve nothing but scorn, derision and disrespect. They are all empty suits.

We bought a good, second hand clothes dryer from a friend. They are not that expensive and come in very handy. Modern day conveniences are amazing.

International flights to and from Hua Hin would be a good thing. But how about some domestic flights? Why does this airport remain one of the least utilized in the world? The location is ideal for a regional hub of sorts. Anything to create an alternative to the horrendous drive into Bangkok would be a good thing, since the authorities have never, ever engaged in traffic mitigation, even one iota, nor have they ever created any cargo alternatives to unchoke the highways. Progress is needed. Will that happen with dinosaur leadership? Are dinosaurs capable of moving forward?