connda

The days of military coups in Thailand are gone : Sutin ...until they're not.

"A fool and his money are soon parted," as the old saying goes.

Cut internet access to Facebook and watch it plummet by another 50% or so.

However, a few tens of million p*ssed-off Thais, including my wife who live on Facebook, will be voting for Move Forward the next election.

Sadly? I agree with both you and your friend, especially as I was a kid in the 1950s and have a historical perspective to reflect and compare our current environment to. Our best years are definitely behind us, which bodes not well for our children and grand-children.

Given Thailand's criminal defamation laws - this should be entertaining.

I really feel sorry for you guys especially the elderly farangs who are fearful and don't have a clue as to how to get along with or interact with dogs. That's why I like guys like Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer). It's not about the dogs. Dogs are easy. They have personalities, but the behaviors are pretty easy to anticipate based on the dog's situation and breed. It's about humans who don't have a freaking clue about working with social pack animals, i.e., canines, i.e., dogs. Especially when the humans are fearful or threatening toward dogs or a pack of dogs, or just don't like dogs in general.. <---- Hint - that's how and why you get hurt. Off-leash/un-penned dogs are just a fact of life in Thailand. Make your life's easier and learn how to deal with dogs. If dogs scare you? Well, you're screwed right out of the gate.

No wonder your significant other is so well behaved!

Honestly - where? If you pay 20K THB for a rabies series you've been seriously ripped off. Heck, come to my house. I have rabies vaccinations in the refrigerator (I actually do). I'll give a 5 shot series for ???? how about only 5,000 THB. <laughs> A savings of 75%!!! ???? I work with stray animals in our village. We attempt to either neuter or give neutering shots to strays or puppies that show up/dropped off. Same with cats and kittens. The village gives all animals in the village rabies shots for free annually. Nips and bites happen. At my local hospital an individual rabies shot costs a couple hundred THB if that. Do the math for a 3 or 5 shot series. At most you're out a thousand baht.

One of the things I like about Thailand is that the government tends to stay out of everyone else's business.

I know most of the local dogs, none of whom bother me. I've crossed paths with packs on walks outside my village. Put some rocks in your pockets. If aggressive dogs come your way, sling a couple of rocks their way. Also, don't look weak or show fear. My guess? They look at you like fearful prey. You have access to a gun? You'll end up in prison on weapons charges. Then charges for killing the dogs will pale in comparison. And you'll lose the gun. Really - stupid idea.

Put in a fan. The insulation will work (we did it a few years back). Wayyyy cooler.

"Lawfare." Put it in your dictionary as it now the New Normal.

If you need masks, just buy them on Lazada or Shopee.

You're gonna die <period>. So why worry? Live in the moment and enjoy life. If you're @BritManToo tuck another wine cooler in the ice.

I think I'll check the odds with a bookie in the UK. My bet is that he'll get pardoned sooner than later and all those health issues will clear up as quick as you can say - "Bob's your uncle!!!" Or "Tony's your sugar-daddy."

Undifferentiated American English although I can switch to quite a few regional dialects if a feel like it (I've been around). And if I'm around Brits, I can flip a bastardized version of non-regional Brit. May have something to do with having spent my first three years of school in a post-WWII Brit school in Harrow.

Hey - they're going to give every Thai 10K for voting for the right parties. "Whoo Hoo" But of course, a month after they issue those funds to Thailand, inflation will explode 20% or more and it ain't ever coming back down. Then it's back to applying for more credit so Thais can afford to eat.

Every year we hear more about Thai "soaring" debt. And the banks keep extended credit. Just walk through the malls and hypermarts to see tables of bank reps soliciting unsecured debt to Thais. When are we going to get to the point where Thai banks can no longer service the debt that they have over-extended to Thais who have more debt than they can pay month-to-month. I know - go to the bank and take out another loan to pay off the credit card bills so you can fill them to the debt limit again. This is why you don't keep more then a million THB in a Thai bank account. When the Debt House Of Card folds in on itself, Thai banks will make themselves whole with the savings of their depositors. Keep your deposits below the Thai guaranteed deposit insurance level as it's just a matter of "When" and not "If" this ponzi-scheme explodes.

When you live in Chiang Mai, you don't have to consult your Android or Apple Poop-Map before walking down the street like you do in San Francisco.

If you have checked the rest of the West, especially US/Canada, the climate crazies are lighting off arson fires throughout the pristine forests then screaming, "Climate Change is gonna get you - see - Fires!" Aqi across many places in Canada and the US is just as bad as Chiang Mai during the 'burn season.' Here in Northern Thailand I understand the insanity of the annual burns, it's a pretty new event in the West. Which for me? One more reason not to return.

Ditto. I reflect on the financial, societal, criminal, and political changes that have occurred in the US since I left. Then I look around at the slice of paradise where I live where there are no government bureaucrats attempting to regulate our lives (try modifying your property in the US without submitting a wad of paperwork, easements, legal papers, and regulatory applications - Gawd) - and yeah - I appreciate it. Although immigration can be a PITB, it's not a showstopper, and I pray it stays that way.

I've got a cheap Suzuki Celerio and I've never experience that problem. Not "ventilated" as far as I know. Up until two minutes ago, I'd never heard of "ventilated seats."

A few people here may agree with you, but from my experience the majority of members here don't want to debate global totalitarianism, and they would rather kick back, relax, and enjoy their lives here in the LOS. You're most likely to simply be mocked. Just saying...

???? Ahhhh, because it's "pointless." <grin>