spidermike007

It is extremely rare. And the vast majority of the time it happens, it is due to the individual already having severe mental health issues. Other drugs are a different story. It does seem to be very clear from research that if a person already has a chronic psychotic condition, such as schizophrenia, that using marijuana can trigger an episode of psychosis. Studies also show that people with certain genes that predispose them to schizophrenia are more likely to develop the condition if they use cannabis. https://www.brightquest.com/cannabis-induced-psychosis/

Trump is a coward and a traitor, who has always considered himself to be above the law. I truly hope he ends up behind bars. He richly deserves that.

One of the huge issues here is the princely treatment given to boys. They are nothing special. On any level. Yet, the parents let them get away with nearly anything, and spoil them rotten. What Thai parents need to start saying to their sons is this: You are nothing special. Your sister is as good as you, or better. She works harder, she is more ambitious and she does not take everything, and everyone for granted. So, until you prove to us, to the family, and to the community that you are special, by your deeds, actions, and hard work, you are not anything but a normal kid. Nothing more. My guess is there are alot of Thai parents who wonder later, where did I go wrong with my son, and why did he turn out to be so self entitled, so spoiled, so unwilling to put in a hard days work, and how did he become so rotten, and so undeserving of our care and protection?

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.

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?

It's time to renew and the company that we are with, which is Veriyah, is telling us that our car is worth 180,000 baht less this year. Seems strange. A nearly new Mazda CX-30. And the maximum they're willing to cover it for is considerably less than the car is worth. Fairly typical, but would prefer closer to 90% of value. Does anybody have any recommendations on a reliable car insurance company that pays claims and offers good roadside service? Is Veriyah the best? I saw some rather negative ratings online for AXA, Muang, and MSIG.

I actually had a conversation with my Thai wife today about leaving. First time I have seriously contemplated that, in well over a decade. I was very surprised she felt the same way I do. She shared alot of my disappointments and frustrations. It would be a big move, as we have assets here to consider, and we are both close to her lovely family. And we both love most Thai people, Thai food, and traveling around Thailand and the region. And up until the last year or two, I would say we really love our life here. Some of it might be Covid fatigue. But, alot of it is army fatigue. And what feels like a diminishing quality of life. I am just very, very tired of the goon leaders here, the continued xenophobia from them, and their constant nonsense and lack of leadership. Neither of us see any hope for the future. This is not about Covid. Though the handling of it has sure been disillusioning. It is about the possibility of a future. What will happen to change things and put this nation on a forward path with any kind of promise? Even if they get rid of the most horrible leader they have had in ages, how will they get rid of the highly corrupt and totally compromised 250 proxy senators? And will any of them ever be held to account? The level of toxic corruption and the "above the law" nonsense gets very tiring. And if they cannot figure out a way out of this backwards moving and ever deepening destruction and sabotage, do we want to spend the rest of our lives dealing with such lowlife leaders, moral degradation, and constant threats? And of course, the question is if we leave, where to? Certainly not back to the US. Thinking maybe we will check out Spain for a long vacation. Then we will see. Any thoughts?