Tropicalevo

Smart elephant.

It is never going to happen and certainly not in the next two years. Thais obviously do not have a clue what it takes to build and host an F1 race - even if the road is already there. The hotel security guards, with their little red flags trying to stop the traffic so that their precious guests can get in and out of the hotel, will need a major re-training in order to become stewards. Oh - please note Thailand - you have to PAY a lot of money for permission to hold a race. Money that Thailand does not seem to have at the moment.

Sorry. I fail to see the connection of models with politics. Please enlighten me?

Not too bad where I live and it is usually only a couple of months of the year. Current readings mid to high 70's AQI . Low 90's two weeks ago with the strong winds from the N and NE. I live with doors and windows open for the sea breezes. I have survived the last 25 years on the island. Good enough for me. https://www.iqair.com/thailand/surat-thani/bo-put/koh-samui-plai-laem-outdoor

baby Trump is only playing the spoiled brat and spitting his dummy out. He has to be confrontational so that he can show that he is 'The Boss'. After all, he does not have an original thought in his head. The world will get over it/him.

Totally agree We too looked at those countries . Tempted by Bali but I am sooo glad that we chose Thailand.

Parents never expect their children to die before they do. When it happens, it is tragic. Having to kill your own flesh and blood in self defence is just a big double whammy.

Good old 'social media' spreading lies and malicious rumours as usual. Potentially causing harm and heartache to individuals. 90% of it should be banned and people could then start behaving like human beings.

There is not much point in trying to identify just one thing that is bad for you. Life style, diet, exercise regime, taking drugs (yes, cannabis/smoking as well), even genetics all get into the mix. I am almost 74 and have two regular check ups every year. Work permit and life style. I have been drinking alcohol daily for 60 years. Too much when younger, not so much now. Results from the medicals - very strong heart, could go on until I am 100. Liver OK, but the rest........ oops. Stage 4 COPD, Stage 3 kidney disease, bladder issues (prostate gone now) oh, and I was found to have 'inherited' gout when I was in my early 20's. Usual old folk's tremors and forgetfulness - tryping (sic) is tricky these days. Cannot exercise so much - cannot breath with the COPD but still do daily walks and running around looking after guests. Still riding the ancient scooter- love going around the island on a sunny day - except in high season (now) and even go across to the mainland for a 'blast' now and again. Which is more dangerous? One drink per day, or the roads in Thailand.

Sorry, I dozed off after paragraph 3.

When you are poor and have very little hope, guess what. You cannot afford to have kids.

I think that the real problems are the Thai officials that are illegally changing land titles and sell off the elephant's forests.

Oops. Overstepping your authority captain?

The poor lad wasn't kidnapped. He was sold. His seller (family?) should be ashamed of themselves. Slavery is alive and well in the 21st century. 😟

I have been here for 25 years now. Planned to retire and rent out a few properties on the land that I 'bought'.. Came here with my wife (Brummie lass) as she chose Thailand when I asked where we should live next. Retirement never happened. I ended up starting a small business and run that with 14 staff. Now approaching 74. Still work 7 days a week. Take holidays whenever I want as I long as the staff can reach me when they need help and a bit of farang wisdom. No desire whatsoever to go back back 'home' - UK. The place sounds terrible when I talk to my wife's relatives back there. Most of my relatives are dead anyway - just a daughter who can barely wish me Happy Birthday. (We fell out when I refused to change my will when my wife died. Daughter wanted everything.) Back to the plot. Thailand has changed a lot in the 30 years when I have worked and lived here but as others have said - so has everywhere else. (I came and worked/lived in Bangkok in 1993.) To me, the winter (6 weeks?) is cold and the summer (April) is hot. The rest of the time the weather is pretty dam good. I live on Samui - away from the tourist areas. Wife said 'I do not care where in Thailand but I want a swimming pool and sunsets so I have sea breezes for six months of the year. Plan B was going to be Tanzania but I would not go and live in any of the African countries now. Anyway, I cannot leave Thailand, as the memorials for my wife, son and a good friend are in the local temple. I still have to put the flowers and incense sticks there every week. A bad day here is still better than the a good day in the UK.

This is terrible. Just $2.3 million USD down to less than $1 million. And instead of sorting out the country's budgets, the MP's fight and bicker with each other. Always after 'their cut'. How much are those useless submarines again?

Make legal gambling available to the masses. What could possibly go wrong.

But does Prawit have an alibi?

Try telling that one to all of the foreigners that have (much younger) Thai girlfriends. Age is just a number. At 16, I was a part-time professional dancer with many older girlfriends. (28 years old was the record.) 16 in Thailand is old enough - with permission.

You are correct of course, and I am sorry to burst your bubble, but the USA's influence here in Thailand diminishes daily. China's is Thailand's best friend. Anything that China wants from Thailand - it gets. Unless it's own needs overwrite that. Marco Rubio's statement is just a publicity stunt following on from the orange buffoon’s claimed success in Gaza. (Now that is an even bigger joke.) By the way, she/he/it does not have the job yet. History.

Dear MP's Instead of bickering, in-fighting , and trying to get your own noses into the trough, PLEASE sort out the mess that you have all put Thailand in to. PS and stop interfering with the BOT who are better and more qualified at looking after Thailand's money than you are.

If you are coming to Samui by Seatran, there are hotels less than 500 metres from the ferry terminal.

There are a couple of small places near the Seatran ferry terminal eg Baan Suan Resort Khao Hua Bon Resort

The very bright sun here in Thailand does blind one at sunrise and sunset when on the roads. However, the one that makes me peeved is the number of folk who do not dip their headlights when driving a night.

Entitled <deleted>. I think that you are not about to leave Thailand.