connda

I'll inform the Thai wife to take the White Temple off of her "Thing I Want To Do" list during our next visit to Chiang Rai which she has been planning for awhile. I live her, pay taxes, contribute more to the Thai economy that most middle class Thais, and I'm (and others like me) are treated like second rate trash. Screw them. It's not a 'real' temple anyway, but just for show. I'll leave it to the tourists.

If you bring any weapon into your home you need to first wrap your head around your ability to take a human life (I doubt most TV member can do that), and second wrap your head around the fact that killing or injuring a Thai National even in the case of home invasion is more than likely going to land you in jail regardless if you use an arrow, piece of rebar, machete, kitchen knife, hammer, rock, or whatever (and I doubt that most TV member are willing to go to jail to protect themselves and family by using lethal force). So your only other alternative is for you, and possibly your family, to become the prey of your attackers in a home invasion and hope the best you survive (I'm not willing to do that).

Best to be judged by three (here in Thailand), than carried to your the crematorium by six (here in Thailand).

As an avid skier for the better part of 50 years, I can't say I remember when the run-of-the-mill FIS racer posed in vivid red lip-stick. And I've know a lot of racers both male and female. Haven't seen that before. Lip gloss. Yeah, I even wear that. But than again, 30 years ago I didn't see various body piercing and tats. Just an observation. Maybe something is changing. Who knows. I gotta find some video of her running the GS. Entertaining no doubt.

"Heartland" Americans are just sick and tired of PC Politics. Trump isn't PC. What he turns into if he attains the Oval Office. I'm not optimistic. Probably same, same, but different.

You'd have a better bet betting on the most decrepit nag at a local Thai race track than make a bet for a 'truce'. Good luck with that. Game's back on as soon as everyone has their logistics straighten out. Probably sooner.

They be too busy restocking supplies from Turkey and Saudi Arabia to fight.

Wait 'till they find out they can't wear make up (unless it's camo) ...maybe that's the plan.... scary katoey with no make up...enemies will be running just at the mere sight....(hope the enemy keeps his valuables on a chain by the way)

I think I'd rather have an unmodified katoey covering my flank (poor choice of words), errr in my foxhole (still not good wording). Oh heck. A chick with lot of testosterone will still build muscle and can't kick the crap out of most women, and once bulked up, a lot of men. Just saying.

But gals in the field? Not so much. But if GI Jane can keep up, why not. But she should meet the same physical standards as a man. A motivate Katoey would have no problem.

How to treat 'katoey'

Like a girl with a deep voice. Myself and my family don't care. Not my cup of tea, but whatever make one happy. That's a true conservative view.

"But you sound like a liberal?"

Nope. I have no problem with Katoeys, but if Bob down the street does, that's Bob's business. I don't support laws dictating that Bob has to think the way I do.

"You a LBGT Hater!!!"

Nope. Go to the top of my post and read the first sentence. Good luck.

Word of advice: Don't. Now that you've been warned, don't whine if you get 'popped'.

Wow! Not even America has come up with that one.....yet.

We have legal prostitution in Nevada. Look up the Moonlight Bunny Ranch on Google. But, too bad. You Brits can't indulge. Pfft! Into jail with you commoners.

The law locks up the man or woman

Who steals the goose from off the common

But leaves the greater villain loose

Who steals the common from off the goose.

The law demands that we atone

When we take things we do not own

But leaves the lords and ladies fine

Who take things that are yours and mine.

The poor and wretched don't escape

If they conspire the law to break

This must be so but they endure

Those who conspire to make the law.

Ahhh, the plight of us 'wee people' at the hands of our elite "Law Makers". Not much has changed in 200+ years. Lol

Must be great living in the "Great" socialistic nanny-state of Britain. Well, I'd like to think that's why you more 'independent' Brits are living in the Land of Smiles instead of "Great Britain", but just don't get catch with your wickets and balls whilst playing on the wrong 'turf'. That's an elite game. Only British MPs can do that.

The law demands that we atone,
When we take things we do not own;
But leaves the lords and ladies fine,

Who take things that are yours and mine.

Whilst you're at it, can you deposit some money into my bank account as well, as I'm struggling to pay for the health care premium of me and my family.

Nice perspective..

So you think it's ok for all those people that visit and live in Thailand to have no health insurance? If they want to save money on that, why don't they deal with the fall out as a consequence?

For me it's a indeed a struggle to pay the insurance premium every three months, at the moment. I still consider this to be important though and keep paying these bills and keep taking out the insurance each year, to not be in a situation as this person and plenty of people before him. Sorry for not feeling sorry if I don't feel compassionate for people who think they can get a free ride here.

I rather not have to ask my family to bail me out. It's a choice I made, a very long time ago, when I decided to come and live in Thailand.

I totally agree---- unfortunately I am too in a different class.I am happy living here but cannot get insurance because of my age(79) so I suspect I will be in the same boat one day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure on of our more upstanding TV members will find cause to criticize you for staying in Thailand past your insurablity date, or for not being independently wealthy and being able to afford astronomical insurance premiums even if you could get insured. Health insurance is a rigged game.

Stories like this proves the Thai Government must make insurance a mandatory requirement, before granting a visa.

I'm sure they'll get right on that.

We should expect Black Lifes Matter to be out on the streets in force. Let's check tomorrow?

Additional info from non-Western news source. Draw your own conclusions:

http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/us-ignores-own-unsc-resolution-tells-russia-stop-bombing-al-qaeda/ri12980

Info based on UN Resolution 2249

[r]eiterates its call in resolution 2249 (2015) for Member States to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), Al-Nusra Front (ANF), and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda or ISIL, and other terrorist groups, [...] and to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Syria, and notes that the aforementioned ceasefire will not apply to offensive or defensive actions against these individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, as set forth in the 14 November 2015 ISSG Statement;

This is completely 'one-way'. The Syria and Russia stand-down and the rebels re-arm.

Journalist William Engdahl breaks it down from a historical perspective through to this week's 'cease-fire' for everyone but rebels and ISIS: http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/17/washington-s-machiavellian-game-in-syria/

Lifestyle

"As a guy who was in the American military during the cold war,"

Orlando Barton

Source: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/russian-agents-thailand/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-02-20

Op that the best line...love how that was thrown in there.

Let me guess Special Ops or were you a Seal?

Think I have meet you before at every single bar in thailand.

Sent from my c64

I think that he just meant that he was in the US Military between 1950 to about 1975.You are just jumping to conclusions wow64.Was you ever in or did they not want you ?

I was in the US military during the Cold War also. So was my father.

The statement is just that: a statement. There's nothing to read into the statement other than providing the context of the national mind-set during that particular period of time. Gotta agree with sanukjim: It says nothing specific about what one did during that period of time.

The people of the world, as a whole, keep buying into the 'this country evil, this country good' propaganda generated by the leadership of their own countries for whatever 'national interest' that it serves. But for anyone who travels, you eventually end up finding out that the average citizen of a country that has be demonized, are....just average people like the rest of us. Same wants, same desires, same morality, same level of acceptance.

People and countries are not the problem; propaganda is the problem.

Yes as a American who left the USA because my fellow country men voted not once but twice for this moron I can assure the ultra left wing Marxist Communist "understands" the PM. In this case I hope the PM told the anti Christ to <deleted> off. Maybe Thailand can invade the US and liberate everyone so I can return.

Blimey! The way you seem to measure politics I fear you would class Benito Mussolini as a Social Democrat...

Obama has done only good things for the U.S. (my country too), and could have done much more without an obstructionist Republican-controlled congress and majority conservative Supreme Court. The President is not a king.

I agree with this. Better an Obama than a Bush or a Trump. All the opposition to the things Obama has tried to do like the health care scheme and gun control just shows how selfish the conservative elites in the US are.

Obama, Bush, Trump. Makes no difference. You could put Bozo the Clown in the White House and still have the same policies coming out of the Oval Office. The president is a straw-man. It's been that way since Jack Kennedy had his brains blow out. And so it will remain.

It seems that to some , the penny never drops, that we are not actually liked here.

It also seems to many of us who live in Thailand and probably in rural areas that we actually ARE liked here.

We play the game by Thai rules and have no hassle at at but there are quite a few that don't and whine if they are caught breaking the rules.

Has the penny dropped for you yet?

In my own village, I assume I'm liked well enough my most. Called Luang (Uncle) by most except the elderly, wai'ed by most, acknowledged while walking or driving down the road by most, some stop for a chat. Life in the village is different, other than after the Erawan bombing when some plain-clothed cops from Chiang Mai showed up in our village (our front-gate) to make sure the farang had been staying in the village.

"Don't mind the growling dogs, they won't bite. Come on in...."

'Mai ow, krap!'

It was a short visit.

Silly statement to start with,

matches start fire = ban matches

Riiiight. People get electrocuted, so we should shut down the generators. People get killed on scooters, ban two-wheeled vehicles.

Handguns are designed for one purpose only - to kill people. They are not designed for hunting or any other activity.

Where do you park your brain when you start typing?

I can only assume that my 'Lawn Darts' were originally designed 'to kill people' although we use them strictly for sport, although I could use them as weapons in the event of a home invasion if push came to shove.

The same logic applies to our firearms.

How many people answering this poll understand the processes and restrictions that are placed on individuals applying for gun ownership. My guess is less than 5% (probably less than 1%).

Ok TV owners and reporters.

How about doing all of us expats a favor and getting an interview with an authority figure in Bangkok and finally get an interview that specifically states the law, by name, that is on the Thai law books specifically spelling out the law regarding what identification needs to be carried by foreigners. If we are being shaken down, call it for what it is. If it's the law to carry a passport at all time, spell it out in plain word and connect to a link that has the law in Thai. I want to translate it. This is getting beyond ridiculous.

Funny how the sheep are cheering for their own enslavement !

1. Helmets are for PERSONAL safety and as such should be a PERSONAL choice

2. Helmets do NOT make traffic more safe !!!

Samui has no bigger problems I guess ... but that's not so popular like the Helmet-band-waggon BS !!!

Why should everyone waste their lives taking care of you when you are brain damaged through your own stupidity, and absurd stand for personal freedom?

Because it's your own f**king choice to do so. I wear a helmet.

There will be those who will insist that what happens in Syria or other points between including the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, the Near East, Russia, China, Southern Asia, and the Far East are not connected. That's ignorance. What is transpiring in the Middle East and elsewhere over the decades has a direct effect on the stability of Thailand.

Most people view the powderkeg in the Middle East as something completely dissociated with Thailand, and are events only local in their affect. That is either ignorance, or an adherence to a specific partisan political dogma that is also based on ignorance or on deliberate public misdirection. Basically, most people don't have a clue what's really going on, because...life is good! "Bartender! A round for the house!"

Syria is a sovereign country which is being attacked from multiple sources. That's a fact. Russia has a base in Syria that was established decades ago. That's a fact. Russia's presence in Syria is legitimate because the sovereign nation of Syria allows them to operate within the country for the national interests of Syria and the national interests of Russia. That's a fact. Russia is the only country legitimately operating within the borders of the sovereign nation of Syria. That's a fact.

Now let's get into the 'grey area' of psyops. I'm going to keep it short although I could expound.

Western media has been condensed down to the control of six corporations. That fact can be easily sourced. This is now the biased source of most Western world 'news'
.
Large Western corporations and Western government interests are essentially the same. Mussolini called this Fascism. If you find the term 'Fascism' offensive, use Corporatism. Fascism seeks as it's goal to coalesce governments and corporations into a single source of power to wield in the global acquisition of global resources, and for the sole benefit of those complicit in establishing a fascist entity or state.

The current 'spoils of war' that are being sought are the mineral and oil rich areas of the globe.

At this moment that includes oil and mineral rich areas, or areas of logistic strategic importance including:
Iraq (taken)
Libya (taken)

Syria (work in progress)

Yemen (work in progress)

North Africa (in general) [work in progress]
Sudan (work in progress)

DR Congo (work in progress)
Most countries along the Great Rift Valley in Africa (work in progress)
Afghanistan (work in progress other than Kabul)
Djiboiuti, Mayyyun, Egypt (Suez), Counties bordering the Strait of Hormuz, Crimea, Counties bordering the Strait Malacca (Strategic)
Iran (target)
China (target)

Russia (primary target for it's large land mass, resources, and strategic importance)*
*Reference:
The Geographical Pivot of History
Halford John Mackinder 1904
The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives
Zbigniew Brzezinski 2006
Collaraly writings by The Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Commission, and think-tanks including The Rand Corporation

The strategies and references are in the public domain.

Why should you and Thailand care? You're downwind is my most salient response.

Syria is a the red-line in the sand drawn now by Russia for reasons of national security. What can this lead to? World War for one, and nuclear war for two.

http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/did-russia-just-threaten-turkey-nuclear-weapons/ri12936?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-02-19/experts-invasion-syria-could-lead-nuclear-war

https://consortiumnews.com/2016/02/18/risking-nuclear-war-for-al-qaeda/

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-worried-about-possible-turkey-russia-hostilities-a-1078349.html

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160219/1035060290/will-us-warhawks-authorize-turkish-saudi-ground-operation-syria.html

For those who wish to attack me personally with name calling and perjoratives, simply read my signature at the bottom of this post, if you're intelligence enough to comprehend that is.

For those who wish to attack the veracity of my sources, I use the same public source as are published by Western Neocons and some that aren't. Do you're own homework.

As you enjoy your beer and drinks at Nana Plaza, or enjoy cruising the Patpong area of Phutket for gals and fun, or are sleepily enjoying your retirement slumber in Chiang Mai, understand that events not that far away could upset your normalcy bias as fast as you can say, "Bob's Your Uncle."

Are you prepared for that eventuality living here in Thailand?