BusyB

Exactly.That's a great post ... lays the facts out, and not hiso pipe dreams. From a logistics point of view alone the idea is ludicrous. The so-called 'land bridge' would also be a nightmare for all involved, including anyone living in the vicinity. The only sensible and viable solution would be a canal, and that's not really viable as other posters have pointed out.

Apart from the pollution of trucks running back and forth as well as the rail operations, you'd also need TWO ships for one shipload.

Doubtful. Another character hallmark of Trump is that he rarely if ever pays his bills unless absolutely forced to.

I doubt it. It's interesting really. Just about every person who has come close to Trump in one way or another has been totally ruined by the experience. That applies especially to friends, political allies and government officials, business partners. Giuliani (and by extension the two women he bullied, tyrannized and terrorized out of their homes and lives) being just the latest example. It's out there for everyone to see. Yet apparently tens of millions of Americans want to give him a second chance at ruining the entire country completely.

Bangers

Malaysia gives you 90 days visa exempt on entry - a smile to go with it and a welcoming ''Enjoy your stay'' as well 555 ...

Tuition fees.

Even allowing for your (sometimes quite hilarious) borderline trolling, that is a pretty sad comment. The war refugee intake I've generally found quite polite (as opposed to the old guard who I found pushy and impolite) if reserved. And I've also met a few very pleasant ones, as neighbors and one landlord and one landlady. It strikes me that Russia is losing a whole generation of largely young, talented, capable and decent people who have no intention of fighting Putin's criminal war. And all power to them. The ones who didn't get out for whatever reason are not to be envied.

That seems to be the nub. This guy appears to have been acting out to the last. And it may well have not even been noticed in Pattaya where it's more the norm. But there is no indication in the piece of a 'national crackdown on overstayers'. The cops themselves apparently say they're only on the lookout for people who make a nuisance of themselves. Grotty reporting combined with repetitive writing (to fill a quota?) but nothing unusual.

''He was on a 30-day tourist visa. Significantly, he was residing illegally in the country for the last five months after the expiration of his visa period. '' Came in via Ban Laem. Above quote from the report. They don't even understand the difference between visa exempt and tourist visa themselves. Grotty reporting. Again.

It's open public record, go waste someone else's time.

No. It's because they can. Same with any commodity. And it's now legally legitimized for medical services as well. So they can, so they scam.

You're kidding ...

I don't know what you're talking about. That's not my post and I have no intention of even visiting the US. Get a grip.

This was indeed (and by no means the first time or restricted to him) the language the nazis used in the 30s. They then passed laws to prevent interracial sex (then with Jews) to 'protect aryan blood'. Some people don't realize how close to the edge they are and exactly what evil they're cheering on.. That man is a likely presidential candidate for godz sake. Actually I have enough faith in the average American not to give him a majority. But he's never had a majority. That didn't stop the US's archaic and not fit for purpose 'electoral college' from selecting him as president though in 2016. Ludicrous.

Someone gave Sheryl one as well as proof of their empathy.

You should enjoy it it's the method I'd recommend. Train to Aranya Prathet, overnight there, cross the border next morning and on via road to AW. Did it many years ago when the roads were like Martian open cast mines, nothing but red dust and mud, and the bridges threatened to cave in. Took a taxi back then but believe there are buses now and the roads have been surfaced. It'll still be an authentic experience though. Helps appreciate the distances involved and gets you in at ground level. Enjoy.

Why do people hate anything?

No, Trump's just known as a rapist so far.

You're 100% right but you are on AN you know ... wear wellies when wading here ...

A damaged one?

Me too. I often deploy a smile and nod of the head. But I often wai as well. It is nearly always appreciated and usually returned out of politeness if nothing else. And I always return a wai. Like RichardSmith above, I just go with the flow and do what comes naturally and politely. No Thai stands there frowning disapprovingly, muttering about how inappropriate it was or that my hands weren't held correctly in a perfect lotus form to the right level of the face. I don't however wai kids first, nor waiters in restaurants. Although if they were good I'll give them a good nod of the head on the way out. Just do what feels OK. A wai nearly always evokes a positive resonance. Missing a clear opportunity to wai will always look bad. At best it'll evoke a ''well, s/he's a farang ... can't expect it''. Not a league I aspire to. Actually I even do it in the west sometimes quite naturally now as a thank you, rather than as a greeting salute. It's not that uncommon any more, especially as Buddhist awareness spreads, and so many have travelled to Asian/SE Asian countries.

Very true. It's changed beyond recognition since I first visited 13 years ago. In terms of crowding and congestion it already matches Pattaya at the weekend and on holidays. Both places are set to become suburbs of Bangkok over the next 20 or so years once the hi-speed rail links, improved roads and the urban/industrial spread have consolidated into another Asian mega-city. Administratively it will become inevitable. Still, it's a shame about the ferry.

When the crowds were given the choice between Jesus, who'd said ''Hey guys, let's all be nice to each other'' and the epitome of narcissistic tyranny, the murderer, who did they chose? A lesson one should always bear in mind.

From what I can gather local businesses don't make very much if anything at all from Chinese package tourists anyway. Russians, Indians and Farangs tend to spend locally.