spidermike007

1 hour ago, HLover said:

 

Excellent work. And I might add:

 

18. The entire government will continue to be lethargic, incompetent, completely lacking in creative juice, nepotistic, indifferent toward the common man, and totally unconcerned with public and traffic safety. 

 

19. Human trafficking and slave labor will continue as usual.

 

20. Corruption charges will only be pursued against the lowly ones, the ones without influence, power, wealth, or connections, and as usual, nobody in a current position of power will ever be pursued. Lastly, the army will remain immune from any and all infractions or crimes. 

 

Add: geezers will continue to relentlessly complain and whinge.

And those lacking a sense of humor, will take everything they see and read seriously. Come on. We are all just having some fun, and perhaps venting a bit here. What is the harm in that? Have a laugh. Send my your bank account info. I will transfer the funds for a large beer, so you can lighten up and join us for some holiday cheer!

What can one even say about this creep who gave this kid 20 baht? It certainly reinforces most of what many of us know about wealthy Thais.

And it brings up an interested point, which is slightly off topic, but related. How many super wealthy Thais are major charitable donors? Anyone know?

21 minutes ago, Katia said:

And this guy is famous? Alot of accidents around the new year. Wow. What can one say about this heathen?

 

My predictions for 2018.

 

1. There will be alot of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand, and the number will continue to climb, at least according to the trusty TAT.

2. There will be long delays at immigration, at both DM and Swampy, from time to time.

3. Prices will continue to rise.

4. There will be periodic periods of rain.

5. Between mid March and late May, it will be very warm, nationwide.

6. More tourists will be killed on Dark Tao.

7. The RTP will continue to be terribly ineffective, and the number of road deaths will not decline.

8. Little P. will attempt to stay longer, and will postpone democratic elections, yet again.

9. New restaurants will open throughout the nation.

 

Anyone want to hire me? 

 

Also:

 

10. Tourists will have to give fingerprints, have a retina scan, give a stool sample, and provide the maiden name of their father's aunt's youngest cousin's hairdressers's housekeeper's dog's rightmost hind toenail, before getting a sim card.

 

11. Nobody knows where Yingluck is.

 

12. Gov't says Pattaya needs to be cleaned up and made family-friendly.

 

13. Vendors will be removed from {insert name of street here}.  Again.

 

14. Minivans will be banned, and no passengers will be allowed in the back of pickup trucks.  None.  Well, maybe two seven fifteen.

 

15. Someone famous will commit a crime with no consequences.

 

16. A tourist will fall off a balcony.

 

17. People will drink during Songkran (but they shouldn't...)

Excellent work. And I might add:

18. The entire government will continue to be lethargic, incompetent, completely lacking in creative juice, nepotistic, indifferent toward the common man, and totally unconcerned with public and traffic safety. 

19. Human trafficking and slave labor will continue as usual.

20. Corruption charges will only be pursued against the lowly ones, the ones without influence, power, wealth, or connections, and as usual, nobody in a current position of power will ever be pursued. Lastly, the army will remain immune from any and all infractions or crimes. 

15 hours ago, timendres said:

I agree 100% with your sentiment. However, I have to say that there is no reason for anyone to ever touch someone's as$. A pat on the back to congratulate, a touch on the arm or shoulder to express concern, these are fine and sufficient. And quite acceptable.

 

Frankly, it is common sense, and it is absurd that people are looking to the government to solve a non-issue. Women in the 40's, 50's and 60's had no problem giving a guy "the look" which meant "you just stepped over the line buster" and most men understood. Those who did not were "dealt with" by the more honorable men who would make sure they understood. Those who still did not get it, would get a wake up slap from the woman, which they thoroughly deserved. There is no fixing the 2% of complete a-holes, even with laws and lawsuits, and yet the 98% are punished. That is just dumb.

 

The US has, frankly, lost it's way. People are getting more ignorant with each passing year.

It is the utter embodiment of a nation that has lost it's footing, has really never found it's identity, and has a population of women, 90% of whom, have no ability, willingness, wherewithal, or desire to connect with, manifest, or embody their inner woman, or express femininity for anything other than personal gain. The US is  on the decline, and has been for the past 30-40 years. It is the Western Roman Empire, in the late 5th century AD, prior to Odoacer marching on Rome. 

No matter what any fool says, there is no making American great again. Ain't gonna happen. Not in our lifetimes. The direction that country is going in, is irreversible. It is sinking into a wormhole of it's own making. Gorging on reality TV for three decades is a large reason for it. An impotent class of millennials, a completely broken political system, populated by whores on both sides of the aisles, who worship at the feet of a golden calf (lobbyists and the NRA), a completely re-populated political swamp, division, hatred, xenophobia, a completely broken immigration policy (how can you possibly discuss illegal immigration, when you are unwilling to discuss fixing legal immigration?), the astonishing exodus of industry, and more. I could go on for days.

I am an American. I own a business in the US. I spend time there annually. I am not just making this crap up. I have seen it firsthand. It is NOT the nation I knew as a young man. It is a land of bitter, disenfranchised, disillusioned, joyless, unfulfilled people, for the most part. There are exceptions, of course. But, I would say unless you are in the top 5%, the quality of your life has diminished so significantly in the past couple of decades, it is beyond recognition. 

I feel extremely fortunate to have escaped. And my heart goes out to many of those that remain.

And this guy is famous? Alot of accidents around the new year. Wow. What can one say about this heathen?

My predictions for 2018.

1. There will be alot of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand, and the number will continue to climb, at least according to the trusty TAT.

2. There will be long delays at immigration, at both DM and Swampy, from time to time.

3. Prices will continue to rise.

4. There will be periodic periods of rain.

5. Between mid March and late May, it will be very warm, nationwide.

6. More tourists will be killed on Dark Tao.

7. The RTP will continue to be terribly ineffective, and the number of road deaths will not decline.

8. Little P. will attempt to stay longer, and will postpone democratic elections, yet again.

9. New restaurants will open throughout the nation.

Anyone want to hire me? 

I was just on the highway driving from Khon Kean to Bangkok. I saw at least six accidents. Ranging from a truck driving into the center strip and being completely demolished, with contents strewn over 200 meters of highway, to a gas truck, that jackknifed in the center strip, and did not explode, to multi car accidents. Granted, it was raining lightly. But, what can one say?

I think in general the skill level of the average driver here is relatively low. And some have attention deficit disorder. And some are drinking.

And why are these drivers speeding in the first place? The primary reason is the toy police force. Nobody, and I mean nobody takes these guys seriously. There is absolutely nothing in the way of a deterrent here, and both the local governments, the central government (weak Little P.) and the police do not take traffic safety seriously. Not even one iota. The safety of the public means less than zero to the small men in charge here. Nothing. They show that on a daily basis.

They will not do a thing. Why? They do not care about the people one iota. Not the common people. Not the average pleb. No way. Never have cared, and may never care in the future. It is all about protecting the elite, the super wealthy, those that are connected, and those in power. The rest of the population? They do not matter. The ex-pat community does not matter. And the police will not get involved unless an accident has already occurred. There is no prevention. None. The idea of getting the police more involved, is an interesting one, and it would be an effective one. But, the issue is money. They are grossly underpaid, and until the government steps up, and spends the trillion baht on updating the police equipment, and paying each cop a living wage, it is not going to happen. Until then, they will just work the franchise. 

When I was growing up, we took drivers education classes. They showed us these horrendous films, of semi trucks crashing into cars, and literally obliterating them, and everything inside. Also, they showed very graphic images of head on collisions. Even as a young kid, it left a lasting impression, and I realized driving was no joking matter. Especially when you have your friends, or loved ones in the car with you. I am constantly astonished at the kinds of chances people take here, with their entire family in the car with them. Why? What is the logic? What is the reason? Why take those risks? Often, when someone cuts onto the highway in front of me, as I am doing 100kpm or more on the highway, I look in my rearview mirror, and there is nobody behind me for quite some distance. Which means, had they paused, and waited 2 or 3 seconds, there would have been zero risk to them, their family, or me and my family. What can one even say? All of this matters even more when driving a motorbike, where there is no protection. 

The only way to survive here on the road, is to be patient, have eyes in the back of your head, drive with caution, and always, and I mean always watch out of the other guy. Chances are, he does not have much driving skill, nor patience, nor reason, nor common sense. You cannot be too careful on the road here. Especially considering that the toy police offer no traffic safety, nor enforcement of the law. 

I was just on the highway driving from Khon Kean to Bangkok. I saw at least six accidents. Ranging from a truck driving into the center strip and being completely demolished, with contents strewn over 200 meters of highway, to a gas truck, that jackknifed in the center strip, and did not explode, to multi car accidents. Granted, it was raining lightly. But, what can one say?

I think in general the skill level of the average driver here is relatively low. And some have attention deficit disorder. And some are drinking.

And why are these drivers speeding in the first place? The primary reason is the toy police force. Nobody, and I mean nobody takes these guys seriously. There is absolutely nothing in the way of a deterrent here, and both the local governments, the central government (weak Little P.) and the police do not take traffic safety seriously. Not even one iota. The safety of the public means less than zero to the small men in charge here. Nothing. They show that on a daily basis.

They will not do a thing. Why? They do not care about the people one iota. Not the common people. Not the average pleb. No way. Never have cared, and may never care in the future. It is all about protecting the elite, the super wealthy, those that are connected, and those in power. The rest of the population? They do not matter. The ex-pat community does not matter. And the police will not get involved unless an accident has already occurred. There is no prevention. None. The idea of getting the police more involved, is an interesting one, and it would be an effective one. But, the issue is money. They are grossly underpaid, and until the government steps up, and spends the trillion baht on updating the police equipment, and paying each cop a living wage, it is not going to happen. Until then, they will just work the franchise. 

When I was growing up, we took drivers education classes. They showed us these horrendous films, of semi trucks crashing into cars, and literally obliterating them, and everything inside. Also, they showed very graphic images of head on collisions. Even as a young kid, it left a lasting impression, and I realized driving was no joking matter. Especially when you have your friends, or loved ones in the car with you. I am constantly astonished at the kinds of chances people take here, with their entire family in the car with them. Why? What is the logic? What is the reason? Why take those risks? Often, when someone cuts onto the highway in front of me, as I am doing 100kpm or more on the highway, I look in my rearview mirror, and there is nobody behind me for quite some distance. Which means, had they paused, and waited 2 or 3 seconds, there would have been zero risk to them, their family, or me and my family. What can one even say? All of this matters even more when driving a motorbike, where there is no protection. 

The only way to survive here on the road, is to be patient, have eyes in the back of your head, drive with caution, and always, and I mean always watch out of the other guy. Chances are, he does not have much driving skill, nor patience, nor reason, nor common sense. You cannot be too careful on the road here. Especially considering that the toy police offer no traffic safety, nor enforcement of the law. 

The idea of sexual harassment in the US, has passed all reasonable boundaries. When Matt Damon recently came out and stated that there was a big difference between a little pat on the butt, and forceful rape, he was nearly crucified by some women in Hollywood, (especially the shrill, elderly, and way, way, way past the sell by date) Minnie Driver. That alone demonstrated to the most reasonable mind, how far out of control this "war on men" has gone. It is beyond ridiculous. It is petty, silly, surly, and just plain old dumb. Not to say there are not men who deserve it. But, a pat on the butt, or a man putting his hand on a woman's thigh, when they are engaged in a friendly conversation is NOT the same as rape and does not constitute sexual harassment. And yes, I would feel the same way if it happened to my daughter. Give me a break. This whole situation is stupid. American men have been emasculated already. Now, it is getting so extreme, pretty soon it might be illegal to even possess a male organ in the US. 

So, I propose this. When a woman accuses a man of "sexual harassment" the burden of proof lies on her. She has to demonstrate some evidence. Otherwise, it is he said, she said. And in the US, she said always wins out. 

On 12/22/2017 at 1:44 AM, max2u said:

 

Is a child's behavior encoded in silicon, rather than *influenced* by parents? Are you or anyone else without a will of their own?

As a great philosopher once said, "environment is far stronger than will power". The reality is that most succumb to their environment. I know I sure did, when I was a kid. It takes a strong individual to say NO! That does not work for me!

Parents do have an enormous responsibility to their kids to provide a positive, secure, and safe environment with boundaries, and lessons to be learned. Otherwise, why bother having children? 

On 12/21/2017 at 9:02 PM, torrzent said:

were your friends beginners?

No. They are very experienced. But, they pick their spots. Most are guys who have good lives, that they are simply unwilling to give up for a few hours of fun.

On 12/21/2017 at 6:14 PM, Bangkok Barry said:

Thailand has actually won a couple of Olympic medals. One was in women's weighlifting, which is ironic considering how petite Thai ladies are reputed to be. Another was in boxing. Both families were later embroiled in controversy, I think a murder and wife-beating.

I am aware of that. And they did have a great tennis player who as in the top ten for awhile. Paradorn Srichaphan. He was ranked #9 on the ATP. And got to the fourth round of both Wimbledon and The US Open, beating Nadal on the way there. He was a great player, and alot of fun to watch. He won 5 ATP tour titles. Quite an accomplishment. Plus he was a great guy, very polite, and very popular on the tour. 

Thailand has also had a few great golf players (the great Thongchai Jaidee comes to mind), with 19 wins on the European and Asian tour. There have been a few other very good golfers, boxers, Muay Thai fighters, weight lifters, etc. But, it does not appear to be proportionate to either the population nor the place the country maintains, in the world's top 30 economies. And lastly, the entire post was one big pun.

On 12/21/2017 at 4:39 PM, impulse said:

 

No, I think the conditions were well within a skilled surfer's ability, and I can't make any comments on the victim's skill level.  If I were to question any judgment he made, it's going out alone.  But if everyone I know is working when I get the opportunity to kayak, swim, paddleboard or snorkel, I've made that same judgement call myself.  Instead of a one in a million chance of a tragedy, I exposed myself to a 2 in a million chance.

 

He got hung up on a rope, which was an absolute fluke.  Maybe if he had a buddy, he could have been saved, but the nature of kite surfing is that even buddies can be hundreds of meters apart- and safer for that separation.

 

I had a friend in high school who got into snorkeling and SCUBA and developed to an excellent skill level, but he got his ankle hung up on a rope that marked the swimming area at the local pond and drowned while snorkeling.  He was a genius, the smartest guy in the school and extremely responsible, in addition to very popular.  Devastated the lifeguards on duty that day (good friends of his) and everyone who knew him.  It, too, was a fluke- and he was well out of the lifeguard's area.  Maybe a buddy or a diving knife could have saved him, but hindsight like that is always clearer than foresight.

 

If I were to boil my points down to a few words, it's that the authorities often close an area when it's well within the skill level of someone experienced at much harsher conditions (the nanny state creeping in), and we all do stuff that others would call into question- usually after tragedy strikes, but sometimes before.

 

A diving buddy, which is usually recommended, would more than likely been able to save him. And all it would have taken was one swipe with a good knife. Most of the divers I know carry good knives. When you dive alone, you increase your risks exponentially. I suppose many can argue the same rule does not apply to snorkeling.

But, I get your point. When the reaper is ready for you, not much you can do about it.

28 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Looking at the photo in the OP, most surfers back home would have stayed away because the surf wasn't high enough.  Wind and kite surfers would have had a field day, occasionally putting on wetsuits if the low temp required it.  I know I'd certainly try it if I had spent my $$$ and precious vacation time to leave the frozen shores back home for an annual holiday.  Hell, I'd have tried it even if it was just a precious weekend off and I'd driven from BKK to HH.  We swim, surf, dive and play around in much worse back home every spring and fall- and some summer days, too.

 

I also get a kick out of the guys who ride scooters in Thailand, then talk about the foolishness of someone else's preferred extreme activity. (that part not aimed at Spidermike specifically- more of a general comment).

 

 

Well, I do ride a motorbike here. I have been riding for decades, so I have alot of skill. But, I am still very defensive in my driving. The other guy is always the concern here. I did not imply that an extreme activity was foolish. I would never pass that judgment on a man who seeks a thrill. I get that. All I was saying is that I do not understand some of the risks, that some guys take.

So, judging by your statement, you think the conditions were not extremely risky, but rather that the Irishman was perhaps not up to the task? 

14 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

They haven't accomplished anything at all on the world stage. Thai silk? An industry that was established by an American. Red Bull? A local brew until bought and properly marketed by an Austrian. Thai food? Largely based on Indian. I can't think of anything all all that a Thai has invented and given to the world.

Are you forgetting all of the oscar nominations? The Nobel Peace prizes? The Peabody's, for excellence in journalism. The Golden Globes? The gold medals at the Olympics? The outstanding showings in the World Cup? All of the F1 drivers? All of the Majors that the Thai golfers and tennis players have won? The Franklin Institute awards for scientific and technical excellence? The Heineken prize for excellent in the fields of biophysics, and biochemistry? Or the accolades for the charitable endeavors of the Thai billionaires? 

Little P's latest look. Nice. Handsome. Love the grill. Actually, you are clever to not wear alot of bling. Keep stashing your fortune. We all know what is going on. 

16 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Perfectly put. We in the Real World tend to face up to the consequences of our actions at around the age of six. But Thais just can't accept they are anything less than perfect, and anyone who tells them they are not is in danger of being killed. A quite incredible culture, yet they are so incredibly proud of themselves.

It is a fascinating phenomenon. What I have noticed, is there is alot of national pride, but it is not really backed up by a great degree of accomplishment. Granted, the average Thai has a decent life, and most Thais seem to enjoy a greater degree of fulfillment than the average Westerner. But, so many Thais have very low self esteem, and little confidence. Many are riddled with fear. It is sometimes covered up by the swagger that comes with that fake national pride thing. Very complicated indeed. A good sociologist or shrink would have a field day here. 

I have a number of friends who are kite boarders. None of them went out yesterday, or the day before. They all know when the conditions are too risky. This guy must have been very good to even attempt those conditions. But, nonetheless he did not make it. 

I understand the idea of taking risks for excitement. But, there has to be a limit. Life is rather precious. Is it really worth it? Is the excitement that valuable? Is life without the excitement that comes from living on the edge really that dull for the risk takers? 

The little man is desperately clinging to power. Perhaps he realizes this is the last hurrah for the army. Since they no longer have the backing of someone with moral authority, this will probably be the last peaceful coup in Thai history. But really, why the need for elections? The great and benevolent leader has already insured happiness. He is lowering unemployment. He is growing the economy. He is increasing tourism revenue. He is increasing exports. He is abiding by all of the terms of the ASEAN charters he signed, and allowing the duty free importation of all beer throughout ASEAN. They are on all of the supermarket shelves as we speak. We are not longer subject to the very low quality local beers. He is making visa policy easy, simple and streamlined, and all tourists are very happy about that. He is improving traffic and public safety. Corruption is being eliminated, and innocent fall guys are no longer getting charged for murder, and being put to death. The taxi mafia on Samui and Phuket have been eliminated, and tourists can now get a taxi at a fair price. Life is better for all now that this great man is demonstrating his genius and vision on a daily basis. All he cares about is the welfare of his own people, and the happiness of both tourists and the ex-pat community. He contemplates this day and night. 

Just another example of the circus huckster, deflector in chief, making his country a pariah. He has alienated so many countries, peoples, and races, and is diminishing the role of the US, in the world, daily. Maybe that is a good thing. Just wait until he needs some help from any of these nations. 

Donald Trump - making American less significant, less prosperous, and less influential by the day. And lowering the quality of life for the average American. Way to go Don. Keep obeying your lobbyists. Keep populating the swamp with bankers and more Wall Street advisors. 

Just another example of the police, being weak, passive, indifferent, and foolhardy. This has nothing to do with kind. Kindness does not enter into the equation, at all. This is about doing the right thing, and saving lives. Something the RTP, nor this administration, know anything about. 

16 hours ago, tonray said:

This is a problem all over Thailand....vegetable crops harvested in the middle of the night, fish ponds raided in darkness, etc etc. There is a criminal element that finds stealing much easier than working hard for a living.

That, in case you have not noticed, is a worldwide phenomenon. Many would rather live on the backs of others, instead of putting in the hard work themselves. Shame on their parents, for raising such fools.

I have had countless experiences where I have very politely, and with a great deal of respect, asked Thai people to turn down their music, or quiet their dog, who had been barking for hours, or quiet down their child, who had been running around the movie theatre like a rabid monkey on amphetamines, screaming at the top of his lungs, and carrying on, during the movie! It has rarely gone well. Most Thai people do not handle what they perceive to be criticism well. Most Thai people, in my opinion have relatively low self esteem, for whatever reason. And most are not good communicators. In any language. Most cannot introspect, therefore it is very hard for them to admit they are the source of the problem.

I recently had a run in with a neighbor. I very politely asked them if there was anything they could do about their dog. A small yappy creature. It had been barking for hours on end, for many weeks. The only dog on the entire soi, that makes noise. The woman came out and told me off, in a very nasty manner. Ten minutes later she and her husband showed up at my house, and went on for 10 minutes. Incredibly nasty. Really low, really devoid of any sort of class, elegance, or manners. Just ranting and cursing. Finally my Thai wife, who was speaking to them patiently, told they to go home, and stay away from our house. Part of the problem is face. Many perceive the fact that you have asked them to do something, as a loss of face. It is nearly impossible for many of us to get into the mind of the average Thai, when it comes to face. It weakens this entire society, and tears at the very fabric of Thailand. It prevents the people, and the society from maturing, and moving forward. It is a boil on the face of the nation.

Now for my face rant- 

Face is no doubt, the greatest form of weakness, a human can engage in. Many will say it is societal, cultural, etc. No matter. It is the absolute and complete lack of the ability to introspect, and look within for the source of any problem, shortcoming, conflict, or issue. It is the polar opposite of spirituality, and therefore an absolute scourge on Buddha, and all of the precepts he taught. By practicing face, you are denying your spiritual heritage. You are refusing to man up. To take responsibility for your actions. If a man or a woman cannot, and will not take responsibility for their actions, the problems they create, the mistakes they make, and the issues they involve themselves in, what are they? Are they still an adult? Are they a complete individual, if they allow themselves to be limited by such infinitely small social convention? 

Who cares what people think of you? For those of us with high self esteem, it just does not matter. Sure, close friends and family. But strangers on the street? Who gives a rat's butt about this? It means nothing what they think, nor what they say about you. They count for nothing. They are just people, and people you do not know, nor will ever see again. Face is rife with self doubt, and by subscribing to this weakness, and man or woman is made a far lesser person. For those of us with high self esteem, we know who we are. What others think, what society thinks, what a guy or gal thinks, means less than zero.

Real men or women, simply own a situation, and take responsibility for their errors or mistakes. Small men, social deviants, or emotional adolescents deflect, obfuscate, attempt to confuse, and do everything in their power to deny that they made a mistake, or that they are responsible in any way, or on any level. They make up narratives about fake news, or alternative facts. Anything to avoid looking within, for the source of the problem. Anything.

My heart goes out to this man. His life will never be the same.

Getting on a scooter, or a motorcycle anywhere in Thailand, much less the most dangerous areas of Phuket, Phangan, Dark Tao, or Samui without a very good helmet, and without alot of experience riding, is like playing Russian Roulette with three or four bullets in the chamber. It is absolutely asking for problems. The degree of recklessness here is astounding. And many foreigners come here thinking "how much trouble could I get in on a little scooter, on a tropical island"? Well, the answer is alot. The amount of foreigners who are killed on the Southern islands is staggering. Most are not reported in the media. I had a friend who worked for Samui rescue for many years, and said the numbers were about 30-60 a month, on Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao. The official number is about 3 a month. Rider beware. Use as good a helmet as you can afford, and do not use these eggshells pieces of crap. They crack at the first impact, and what lies underneath them? Your skull, which is very delicate. 
 
Just ask yourself- do I have enough problems already, without a broken skull, or smashed head, or face injury, or lost eye? I have two friends who have been in motorbike accidents on Samui within the last two years. One still cannot walk, or talk or function on her own, 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. He insisted for years he would never wear a helmet. Now, he seems 15 years older. 

I was told by a very reliable source. He did not have an agenda. He rescued alot of the survivors. He attended to alot of the ones who did not make it. The press here is highly censored. The report only what the so called leaders want them to report. Nothing else. Social media? Why would social media report these statistics? They report individual accidents, but not overall statistics. Anything you read about accidents on Samui in the media would be false. 

• Road deaths are now calculated based on fatalities on-site. Victims dying later in hospital not counted.
• In 2000 there was an average of 30 deaths a month on Koh Samui (official figures released each month).
• Now it is stated that Koh Samui has 3-5 deaths each month (using the new way of reporting road deaths).
• In the last ten years the population has almost doubled and there are now 5x more vehicles on Koh Samui.
• Based on ‘official figures’ today it is possible to estimate that Koh Samui currently has 60 deaths per million per year. (Compared to 23 in London.) Based on the population and traffic density statistics from 10 years ago Koh Samui has in reality 720 deaths per million per year. This is probably the highest rate of road deaths in the world. Samui is a fatality death spot that nobody is willing to acknowledge!
•  

1 hour ago, pegman said:

Bush the Younger was a village idiot and predates her.

Funny. I honestly believe he used the apparent lack of intelligence to his advantage. I was no fan of his, but I believe he was a shrewd man, and was quite cunning, and probably of at least average intelligence. His lack of articulation in his speaking made him look far dumber than he way, I think. Anyway, in comparison to the current circus huckster, deflector in chief, he seems like a positively elegant and gracious man, in retrospect.