spidermike007

Totally ridiculous. It was the meth not the ganga. Alcohol is far more dangerous. I know plenty of brilliant people who smoke, and it has not slowed them down. To the contrary, alot of highly intelligent people use herb to slow down their brains, create some perspective, alter their perception and boost their creativity. Speaking from experience, there is little about ganga that is harmful, as long as it does not become a daily habit. I used to smoke occasionally. It was delightful, and did not make me stupid. It did make me funnier, and enhanced my life on several levels. Dancing, sex, skiing, music, movies, and many other activities seemed more enjoyable. I consider alcohol to be infinitely more toxic to the body and mind. Not to mention society. Yet, it is legal. Like many things, moderate use can be enjoyable and relaxing for many. And from a medicinal point of view, it is astonishing. My mother smoked. She had severe degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine. She was in alot of chronic pain. It helped her alot. And my guess is it was far better for her health and mind, than pain killers.

Have you read Cork dork yet? It is a brilliant book. Professional journalist and amateur drinker Bianca Bosker didn’t know much about wine—until she discovered an alternate universe where taste reigns supreme, a world of elite sommeliers who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of flavor. Astounded by their fervor and seemingly superhuman sensory powers, she set out to uncover what drove their obsession, and whether she, too, could become a “cork dork.” With boundless curiosity, humor, and a healthy dose of skepticism, Bosker takes the reader inside underground tasting groups, exclusive New York City restaurants, California mass-market wine factories, and even a neuroscientist’s fMRI machine as she attempts to answer the most nagging question of all: what’s the big deal about wine?

The senators are putting alot at risk of they do not back Pita and allow the will of the people to prevail. Everything has changed. The army no longer commands any respect. All moral authority is gone. May the youth of Thailand prevail over the toxic, heinous dinosaurs.

Everything in life is cause and effect. Why are these punks so misguided? I have been saying for a long time now, the youth of today are very scary people. They have little perspective on anything, and it seems that most parents worldwide, have lost the art of parenting. The very fact that this kid would act like this is proof, that his mother and father have been absent on the job. I am very, very fortunate to not have children. But, if I had them, I would be very strict. Children need boundaries, much like pets. They will test you, to determine where the limits are, and will try to find how far they can push you. These days parents are so hung up on trying to be "friends" with their kids, they hesitate to show them the limits. I see that everywhere I go these days. Here in Thailand it is very pronounced. I hear it is worse in China, where the parents spoil their kids rotten. It is very bad in the US. If I were a parent and my kid was acting up, when I got home, he would be locked in his room for a 2 days. No school, no play, no TV, no devices, no screens, 2 meals a day, some water, and a bucket for elimination. With a padlock on the outside of the door. He would learn very quickly where his limits were. And my guess it that he would straighten out. Please, no lectures on parent cruelty. I am NOT a believer in political correctness. On any level. Kids are kids. Parents are parents. In this case, the kid owns the mother. So, this monster has turned his mother into a child. And he owns her. In the past, parents knew the art of parenting. This generation has largely lost it. Way too many snowflakes trying to be friends with their kids. Your kids are not your friends. They are your kids. Who is the parent?

Accidents do happen. About as likely as a pile of tires catching on fire from 38c heat.

Those are insane numbers. You are better off in Vegas. I despise insurance companies and their actuary nonsense. Most are nothing more than mafia scammers, with a license.

Very sorry to hear that. Well written books are one of life's incredible delights.

Anyone know any spy/assassin/espionage novelists on the level of Barry Eisler or Vince Flynn? I know that is rarified territory. But, keep reading hacks like Lee Child, Alan First, Stephen Leather, Brad Thor, etc. They can't polish the shoes of either Flynn or Eisler. Victor Wood is decent. So are some of the others. But, hungry for real quality work, that puts you in that time and place. No nazi or soviet stuff. Find that boring.

Trust and respect should never be freely given, and should always be earned, regardless of position or social status. There are good reasons the RTP commands so little, in the way of respect and trust. Many fast food restaurants are owned by franchisees. The position of most members of the RTP, is also that of a franchisee.

I get your point. But we do have a choice whether or not we want to surrender our peace of mind and quality of life to "daily outrage". That is the trivial part of the equation.

What sacrifices are they willing to make to attract foreign investors? Tax breaks? Allow foreign ownership? Are they addressing critical issues, like the air and water quality, traffic safety, public transportation on the southern islands, rapid rail transport, and the lack of law enforcement? No. Nothing, and I mean less than zero is being done. These guys continue to occupy a self entitled dreamworld. Their gazillionaire status insures a total detachment from reality, facts, truth and practical concerns.

Not relevant. Only for children, which I am extremely thankful I don't have. So mandatory vaccines for children is not a big deal for me. Life is complicated enough without kids.

He is as reliable and consistent as Prayuth. Nothing they say can ever be trusted.

Good point. It seemed to be illegal, or immoral, to bring up the connection between the quality of one's diet, and the susceptibility to covid. Or the primary diets of certain groups. Of course, if you eat healthier your body is stronger, and your immune system is better able to ward off infectious disease. Same applied to obesity. It was a conversation that was discouraged. Don't shame the fatties.

Well, that would be a law I would break. No more boosters, masks, or other covid related preventions or paranoia for me. I am more afraid of a common flu.

Maybe I am one of the fortunate ones. Just yesterday, I ran into a few Thais that were absolutely delightful. I do live in a smaller town, so that helps. But, I find if I offer a sincere smile, it goes a long way here. Also, I find alot of Thais to be very responsive to humor, gags, jokes, and just goofy behavior. I think many think foreigners take themselves too seriously. And when you are light hearted around them, they really seem to respond. If all else fails, leave Thailand for awhile. I was down on Thailand during covid. I left for two months, and when I came back I was so thrilled to be back. At least part of this might be in your head.

Let us hope for big storms. We really need it. Rainfall is well under normal for this time of year, and much of Thailand remains somewhat parched. Bring on the storms.

Go, Pita, go. We are behind you, proud of you and trust in you. You are giving us real hope, for a change. Let us hope these greedy, toxic, moronic, backwards, incapable nitwits get the message, and back down. If they do not, if they use the EC, the courts, or their power to prevent Pita from becoming PM, it could result in real disaster. It could be the end of the Thai army as we know it. If they order the soldiers to put down the protests, there could be a mutiny much worse than we are seeing in Burma, where tens of thousands have defected already. Now, they need to figure out a way to get rid of the corrupt, army appointed senators. ASAP. By whatever means necessary. The youth have prevailed. It is a glorious day in Thailand! If these illigitimate clowns don't act like adults and cooperate, all bets are off. Their health, safety and welfare could be in jeopardy. The people will not tolerate it. Make their lives so uncomfortable they quit a year early. It just might work. Prayuth and his utterly hapless and stunningly incompetent army have failed the nation, and he should have admitted the failure, apologized to the nation, and fallen on his sword, metaphorically, by handing in his resignation, in utter humiliation.

Absolutely not. That is a simple minded as saying the Rock/Smith event was staged by Smith. It nearly ruined his career. The same might be said of Putin, a few years from now. He just might be nearing the end of his days in power. The extent to which he has botched the war in Ukraine is stuff for the history books.

This was a disaster for little Vlad. He emerged from this looking very weak and very scared. He is a small minded man, without a plan. He is in way over his head with Ukraine. This is only the beginning. May he suffer like the women and children he is so fond of slaughtering. May his reign of terror and may his gangland crime wave within Russia end soon.

It appears as of how, that the Wagner guys have backed down and decided not to go to war with Putin. This is a humiliating setback for Putin and makes him appear weak and desperate. He likely offered Prigozhin a billion or so, to go into exile in Belarus and call off the campaign, in addition to access to his fortune, and immunity for all of his men. Would the Russian defense forces have backed down and allowed him to sack Moscow? Is Putin really as dumb as he appears to be? Was the Ukraine campaign as poorly planned as it seems? Is Russia really this weak and pathetic? And what does this mean for the future of the Ukraine war? Will this be a turning point?

Thank you. Now, we are getting to the heart of the matter. How many top army, immigration, and other officials have been arrested and jailed? I have not heard anything about those cases. As usual, they are picking on the little guy, and trying to make an example our of him, in a futile attempt to look like they are doing SOMETHING. No doubt the extremely toxic Thai army, and other govt. officials are involved in this trade. Any who are involved deserve nothing short of the death penalty, or some form of execution.

When I lived on Samui, the place used to attract very low end Brits. Guys from rough places, who seemed to have something to prove, and were always itching for a fight. If you were conscious, you could spot them 100 meters away, and I would go out of my way to not engage with them. Many were fugitives. Maybe there is something about Thailand that bottom dwelling Brits find attractive. We all know this does not apply to most Brits.

Yes. The US has some astonishingly good food. World class Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and a myriad of other types of food. Very high quality, farm to table food, top quality wild caught seafood, great grilled meats, and food made with organic produce, and high end ingredients. Also world class wine lists, and somms who really know their wine, which is nearly impossible to find here, at any price. The caveat is you have to pay for it. Restaurants in the US have skyrocketed in price, and the really good stuff is very expensive now. Friends of mine pay $85 for a steak. I know a guy who ordered a BLT from a local restaurant in Sonoma, and had it delivered. $64! And there is very little good Thai food in the US. Very little. Nearly all of it is mediocre, at best. Lastly, America is one of the best places in the world to source great wine. You can find wine from all over the world, the duty is very low, and there are dozens of great wine auction sites to take advantage of. Anyone asking if there is good food in the US has either never been there, or has not been there in the past 40 years or so, was on an extreme budget and ate in the wrong spots, with the wrong crowd.

Police are attempting to uncover the cause of his rampage. Some possibilities. 1. Insanity? 2. Being very high on drugs he could not handle? 3. A very poor upbringing, with parents who completely failed, and had no idea what the art of parenting is all about? 4. Alot of unresolved anger and bitterness issues. Nothing 10,000 hours of therapy could not address. 5. He ran out of his meds, or forgot to take them. 6. A total lack of perspective. He is in Thailand. Jeez. Have some fun, like the rest of us, and give the hotel staff a break!