BusyB

Thanks for the reply. I'm a lot closer to reality than that though. Of course there are some nasty bits of work around. And I don't go to Phuket any more since about 2006. I've been around a bit but I've never come across a more egregiously corrupt and greedyrotten dump for tourists. It's also the only place in LOS I've been threatened with violence by a Thai in over 20 years (tut tuks again of course - another story). I've seen some unpleasantness in Pattaya that I wasn't part of and was over fast. My experience, and like I said in almost annual trips for 3-4 months and a couple of 6 month long stays, has generally been no worse than back home. The police of course are a disgrace to the uniform and profession but that's a story in itself. Yeah, sure, situational awareness is paramount. The place is fulll of gypsies tramps and thieves. But I worry more about impromptu violence on the streets of English towns than I do on Walking Street. You won't find me anywhere near Beach Road after 8 in the evening either. And I've had to (successfully) fight off a visa company's attempt to scam me on a border run. I ain't naive or soft in the slightest. I don't wear gold chains but I know that just the clothes, glasses, watch and sandals I wear marks me out as very rich by local standards. I approach Thais in the knowledge that most of them would give their right arms to have the global privileges and income I have. And who would blame them - many wonder where tomorrow's meals are coming from and it pays to remember that they struggle with problems I've never had. I tend to find if I smile at the world it tends to smile back. If I growl, it growls. And when it growls I tend to find, especially in LOS, that a smile does a lot to solve the problem. And sometimes crap just happens wherever you are.

Used that one a few times myself for just that reason, although I settled for Fairtex near the Dolphin Roundabout - seem to recall there's a lot of green outside in front of the running machines (and/or tennis courts?). I used to stay at the Palm Gardens round the corner but that seems to have disappeared along with the Kiss Food place when Terminal 21 muscled in. All a sad loss for Pattaya. ???? P.S. Just noticed OP budget of 120. Don't think that'll stretch to Fairtex, can't remember about above Mike's. But otherwise my post stands.

I don't know where you hang out but that's not the way I've experienced Thailand in over 20 years of snowbirds and long stays.

Sub-standard graduates are the results of a decades long development in which both parties have played a role. Trying to 'save money' and also dumb people down unless they pay for private. It's not about Dem/Rep. The whole country really is potty: 'the Democrats turning out sub-standard etc etc'. No-one seems capable of real political analysis and awareness - and the Rep would-be presidential line-up just confirms that. Those are the nutters that the Reps think will attract your votes. Who you will willingly vote into positions of phenomenal power over you. And then wonder why you're so unhappy. Meanwhile the Dems are mulling snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by possibly fielding someone called Munchkins (Exhibit A in the evidence about the establishment capture of the Dems) and/or a distant nutcase relative of JFK who's a borderline Trumpist in all but name. Sad, sad. Just breathe deeply. In. Out. In. Out. Relax.

Religion. Especially US religionists.

Just listening to the whole bunch of 'em they all strike me as pretty potty. Though Christie at least seems to have seen the light and ain't afraid to say so.

Unfortunately too many Americans think he can as well.

They don't target the smart ones, they go for the vulnerable ones because they're the ones who fall for it. Too easy to blame the victims of what is a serious crime involving fraud, kidnapping, trafficking, extortion and forcing people into prostitution. How good that we on ASEAN Now lead such pristine lives and are so knowledgeable - especially about people we've never met.

I think it's pretty clear that too many fall for the razzamatazz, and the ones with the most cash can make the most razzmatazz. Statistically 50% of voters are of below average intelligence.

Liquid diet ... alcoholic myopathy ????

''But but ... I thought he'd brought me a couple of croissants.''

She was 11 years old for godz sakes.

I wondered if the author knew what a lingam is. The theme was crying out to be enlarged on.

Enjoy ????

And ignorance, bad education and sheer desperation. A shame they didn't consult with some of the ASEAN Now social scientists and detectives first.

''Spicer said a Trump romp through Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada could make it difficult for a rival candidate to secure the necessary funding from donors to continue in the race.'' Democracy in action.

It is pure empty conjecture. Faeces in the mixer so to speak. Quote: '' ... might possibly be allowed to literally keep himself outside of Bangkok Remand Prison after he has recovered from “illnesses”.

It makes me want to do something extremely bad to him. The problem is the 'police' and authorities will probably accept that and try and sweep it under the carpet. Or even ask the victim to marry him as a gesture of forgiveness.

Perhaps. But it would have to be applied for and registered in some form. In a family like that with so much alcoholic chaos and hatred it is by no means a cert the father did so.

Owner was 'taken aback' ... Is that all?

Indeed - mental instability in relatives of alcoholics is sadly the norm. He and the mother tried to escape it all. But the whole situation seems to have been completely chaotic and had both father and son in its grip. Domestic violence and murder is commonplace in such scenarios. Usually the alky kills his wife who wants to leave him - read all about it in ASEAN Now almost daily.

Thai-French. He may not have had French citizenship.

''... tragically killed ...'' As opposed to happily killed? ... Joyfully killed?

That picture shows just how Thailand in many ways is still a developing world country. Absolutely appalling living conditions.

So sad. There is no need for people to drown in a reservoir, especially with these water temperatures. Other than they couldn't swim of course and weren't wearing life jackets. I don't when I'm on a rowing boat on a lake in calm conditions but I'm a strong swimmer - taught at school in the specially installed pool. Teaching kids to swim drastically reduced drownings to almost nil in the UK - it was once the major cause of kids' deaths in areas with waterways or on the coast. I don't think it's national policy in LOS yet. I know my goddaughter's school doesn't do it - and it's right on the coastline.