BusyB

Dunno if this kind of thing is ever 'reasonable' whatever the circumstances, but there is certainly a motive behind this filthy crime with that kind of coordination involved

What is this twaddle?

Visiting Thailand (or any country) on a tourist visa, or enjoying the privilege of visiting with a visa exemption, is clearly different to setting up a form of long term residency (however unofficial) on back to back tourist visas and exemptions.

Probably not ...

I've only been an active member of these forums (back then as TV) since about 2009, although lurking since my first snowbird gig in 2003/4. I watched dismayed as all the smarta$$e$ bragged back then about being 'English' 'teachers' (some could barely spell never mind the 'grammar') and doing repeat border runs while sacking in enough cash to get stoned all month. And how appalling their attitude was to the kids they were cheating of a decent education. I figured at the time that Immigration/Police were monitoring the forum. They'd have been idiots not to. And I figured they'd start tightening up, which they did around 2006 onwards. Those goons all thought they were smarter than the idiot Thais (from schools to Immigration) they insulted all the time, and completely destroyed what was a reasonable lenient gig for lots of decent people who did the simple things they were asked to do to conform. They utterly ruined it for those who adhered to what were then very lenient regulations. It looks like the same will happen with the DT Visas. Making it a pain in the backside and so much harder for decent folks who screw the bobbin and adhere to the regs. Doesn't bother me so much because I can easily get a legit Non-O retirement visa. But that type of self-centered 'I'm OK, sod the rest' really urinates me off anywhere. Especially when it's obvious that the wannabe smarta$$e$ are actually as thick as mince and clearly don't give a damn about anyone else.

That's the whole plan and why the Reps heaved him back into office at any cost. Because they really want Vance in place who will do exactly as they tell him - and he wrote the foreword for 'Project 2025'. And then you lot can really look in.

The evidence suggests they apparently aren't in the least interested.

The number of Christmases you probably or statistically have left is also a sobering one, when compared to the number you already had ... 🫣

It always has been ...🤣

I wasn't disputing that or your personal rejection of drugs, or even the rights or wrongs of drug consumption. I was merely pointing out that in fact they have a widespread acceptance.throughout societies across the globe. They are factually a multi billion market in most developed countries which says something about their social acceptance - considering they are actually illegal and are being consumed by normally law abiding citizens. For most they are fun. Like some enjoy a few drinks occasionally. The derelict heroin addict is as representative of the issue as the derelict alcoholic is of whisky distillation. And both those cases are actually public health issues, not criminal ones.

Messrs Dunning and Kruger having another grand ball on this thread.

Many also confuse entertainment with news.

A vegan sex change?

Most civilised countries have a massive, thriving, black market for drugs worth billions. Internationally probably trillions. You may look down on drugs and you're welcome to. But the reality is that tens of millions take them, from construction sites and bog cleaners to parliament and the aristocracy. So they're hardly looked down on. They're simply illegal. Alcohol is openly praised and celebrated despite all the damage it does. Looked down on only by usually prudulent curtain twitchers with the smell of vestries and hymn books about them. Though they also look down on drugs.

Looks like hard work to me. Easier to get a job. Should have stayed in the temple.

There's a whole debate about drugs etc. But ya sure gotta be a moron to get involved in dealing/importing/exporting in Thailand - or anywhere else in SEA. They don't do lenient here. They hang people for smaller quantities in Singapore..

Trafficked? Then blackmailed? Maybe the shooter was her trafficker? Strikes me that prices in India in hotels like that aren't going to be any better than in Thailand so why do it. I'm also interested in what drove her to Rajahstan of all places. Weird. Hope we see the follow up to this story.

'Fraid not ;D Although there was one scene in that film (which I saw in Pattaya on the wide screen): When the bad guy hops out of his chopper with his gang and they start off up the glen towards the showdown with the other fictitious character, I was catapulted back to late teens Army days in the 70s, when I spent a lot of time spread out like that as part of a section patrolling up the glen. The POV in the film was an unreal experience that really jolted me.

Exactly. What's the beef? Thailand shows that the 'third gender' functions quite well without all the ructions of sticks-in-the-mud who can't adapt to changing times and societies. I can still remember the uproar in the 60s about men wearing long hair. Nothing is permanent, nothing is certain, everything is constantly changing. Those unable to adapt to that (and there's always a ledger of excuses for not adapting) will be miserable, unhappy and resentful until they do. Some saddos sadly never do. Mx. Jesus wept!

Higlander and James Bond are fictitious characters. Like Hannibal Lecter.

Only a matter of time till a drunken dispute over 50 baht results in a corpse or two. Just like the poorest Thais we read about here. Happens all over the world. If this is all true the guy needs to get home and get a job and stop stretching things out like chewing gum until tragedy strikes. If he's not even capable of getting a foothold to start out from back home, then he certainly won't survive in SEA. A sea of tears is all that awaits him here.

4, let's say unsuccessful, males forced into a scavenger community to survive. Sharing a pressure cooker cauldron of a slum apartment in a tropical hot foreign country with no access to social safety nets. Where the only thing they have in common is a desire to drink and smoke weed day in day out. What could possibly go wrong?

Yeah, Johnson also liked to identify with Churchill. The old guy must be spinning in his grave. He was a man of great courage as well as his human flaws. Neither Johnson nor Trump have even a modicum of courage to compensate for their deeply flawed characters. Bullies are always cowards behind the bluster.

Satan is the only consistently honest character in the 'Bible'. Jesus said some cool things but that's about it - the rest of the story is also a complete lie. Sorry, myth.

Of course they'll fall back on public health. Like their hero Ayn Rand. After her ridiculous (and barely readable) book was published, she died penniless in a public hospital living off welfare.