On 12/31/2016 at 5:38 PM, sanemax said:

It costs 1200 Baht per day to live in Chiang mai

1500 Baht per day in Bangkok 

1700 Baht per day in Koh Samuii

1450 Baht per day in Pattaya

1550 Baht per day in Pukett

 

That's funny; Hatyai--which is cheaper than any of those places--costs me about B2,800 a day. So, as the OP said, it really depends upon how you want to live--or how cheaply you have to live

9 minutes ago, boomerangutang said:

 

Obama and HRC haters aren't the brightest lights on the Trump Xmas tree.  During Obama's 8 years at the helm, unemployment has gone down markedly, but if you ask Trump fans, unemployment has risen dramatically.  Also, the Dow Jones has gone up mightily during Obama, but if you ask Trump fans, it's dropped.   Trump fans are so dumb, if you show them a yellow chicken, they would say, "It's red, it's blue, it's black, it's green, ......anything but yellow."

You may be giving them too much credit; are you sure they know that many colors?

14 hours ago, billd766 said:

Many years ago when I used to drink in Washington Square you could tell which bars had a party on that night. And sure as eggs is eggs there would be people there who you only ever saw at other bars where there was a party going on enjoying themselves at somebody elses expense.

 

They would also be around the bars on a darts night for the free food.

Yeah, that fairly well describes the English teachers around here. A bar will throw a party and have free food; teachers who seldom frequent the bar will pack the place and are the first and last to attack the free food.

Just now, JHolmesJr said:

 

Well....i would think the correct protocol is for him to arrange for mr trump to be briefed and shown the evidence. Then figure out the way forward together. There is no need to start something willy nilly....that he cant finish....hes out in 2 weeks or so....

Yes, that is what you would think. Apparently, the president did not think that.

9 minutes ago, narak34 said:

 

The report media is quoting is the report I am asking you to tell me that Russia is behind the hacks. You can't because there is zero evidence. You can read the report here: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/29/fbi-dhs-russian-hacking-report

 

And yes I do believe that Obama is doing this out of spite. Trying to blame Russia for Hillary losing the election.

Ah, ah, your bringing up that buggy-boo you complained about,  " Can we lay the republican vs democrat conflict aside and focus on facts here? "

Certainly, you are not basing your argument on " Security experts on Twitter" as your article suggests.

There are many nay-saying articles; but as I said, we do not have access to the details of what was reported by the intelligence community. However, Obama does have that access and he decided it was enough. Whether right or wrong, at least Obama didn't start a war over it like Bush did.

Just now, narak34 said:

 

No they haven't. Show me where in that report they have evidence that Russia was behind it. Can we lay the republican vs democrat conflict aside and focus on facts here?

You think we have access to the specific data in a report? Try this Fox News report http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/30/us-gives-detailed-look-at-russias-alleged-election-hacking.html

Of course, the intelligence community has been wrong in the past and mislead other presidents; so this again may be the case.

And, if you think this is not a DEM/REP issue, you haven't been paying attention. Trump is dismissing it because it degrades his election, so I see his point. Do you really think Obama would do this if he were not convinced? The election is over you know.

22 hours ago, JHolmesJr said:

Wow….obama's 'legendary' statesmanship and cool demeanour have deserted him…he is behaving like a spoiled brat….what a note to depart on.

 

Don't clear the russians' apartments yet they'll be back in a couple of months.

 

What a plonker Obama is. 

Behaving like a spoiled brat? The Director of National Intelligence, Homeland Security and the FBI have confirmed the hacking and noted Republican congressmen have agreed. Are you saying you know more than they about the alleged hacking, or is it simply your anti-Obama-bias which guides your thoughts?

Well, that makes a cheaper trip than the $40-50 taxi ride and has to be better than the bus.

2 minutes ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

Evidently so since you quoted me twice

Evidently, TV software thought you may again lose track of what was said if it didn't show you twice.

2 minutes ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

If only human motives were that easy to decipher. Sometimes it's not a binary choice. Life's complicated.

5 minutes ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

If only human motives were that easy to decipher. Sometimes it's not a binary choice. Life's complicated.

Ah, it seems you are still mislead. Whether or not rich people have drinks bought for them was not the topic of this forum and the digital age seems to have proven everything has a binary representation,

1 hour ago, Basil B said:

 

It has been said of many male tourist to, LOS that's where their brain is...

 

Maybe that's why they think their brain is bigger than what it is...

I doubt it's limited to tourists; and I've heard a similar adage, but it's using the smaller brain, or head, to make the decisions.

1 hour ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

Apparently rich people often have their drinks bought for them either by those who want to prove they're just as good or they want a favor, either specifically or by way of sucking up. Human nature's an odd thing

There is a big difference between expecting someone to buy you a drink for nothing and buying someone a drink and expecting something.

23 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Well, my huge "other thing" compensates for my small I.Q.

Now, just how does your huge 'other thing" compensate for a brain?

15 hours ago, George FmplesdaCosteedback said:

Buy your own or just keep your own bill pot (depends on payment system where you drink).

Rounds is a daft tradition and as far as I know is likely only perused by those that drink together regularly here, which gives it chance to even out if everybody gets his shout.

I was glad to get away from it as it tends to either speed you up or slow you down depending on the company and other circumstances.

Also beware of some of the "clicky" bars where they ring the bell all the time.

 

Yeah, I think you hit it on the head. I frequent an expat bar area in a non-tourist town in the South--the expats are local residents, many O&G rotation workers. Buying rounds is quite the norm in these bars, but everybody knows each other. Some of the bar maids even know which punters are not included in rounds.

Did you ever notice how girls seem to come out of the woodwork when you ring a bell? 

On 12/30/2016 at 10:42 PM, anotheruser said:

 

Actively worrying about splitting the price of a tower of Chang makes you among the lower level of bottom feeders by default. If somebody does this it happens once and if you have any class you ignore it and it ends right there.

I couldn't imagine worrying about who had how many glasses of Chang on a regular basis.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

Splitting a bill is not the same as buying rounds, but I certainly agree worrying about how many glasses of Chang has been drunk would never be a concern of mine.

Who is Serena Williams?

7 hours ago, laislica said:

Not having a WP is my excuse for not doing the washing up LOL

My excuse is I don't want to do it; it's seems too easy to find someone to do any of the mundane tasks in life.  It's called proper planning.

4 hours ago, TSF said:

Back in Australia I often drank in "schools" at the pubs, where we all took turns in buying a round of drinks (called a shout..."Hey Mick, it's your shout.") But I've rarely drunk in schools in Thailand, even at the bars with good friends, I have my cup with my bills, my friends have their cups with their bills, so we drink at our own pace. Drinking in schools wouldn't really work well here anyway when some guys are also buying LDs.

You either all buy ladies' drinks with every round or separate the ladies' drinks from the men's--that should not be a problem.

Some men like to buy a round as a courtesy to the bar-owner, or as a sign of financial solvency, or simply one-upmanship over the other punters; others do so just to be nice. Many do not care if their shouts are reciprocated; those who do need to be careful of who is present before they make the shout.

There are far too many low-lifes about who are more than willing to let someone else pay their way through life. 

21 hours ago, possum1931 said:

This buying rounds is a load of nonsense, If someone only wants to drink two pints and someone else wants ten pints, why should the guy who only drinks two pints, contribute to the guy who wants ten pints?

If you are not man enough to pay for a round--whatever the reason--then step out of the round and don't take the free drink. It's that easy.

There are not-so-nice names for those who renege on a round--a kinder one is that cheapies'  disease, Shell-out Falter; you know, those afflicted with short-arms and deep pockets.

3 minutes ago, Honthy said:

As you know, some of the diplomats delegated to other countries are spies in reality. Everybody knows, the governments know how many spies were delegated from that country. They can work without any major problem, they enjoy their diplomat status. When they have to show power, they stand up the stage saying what terrible action has happened. When it is needed the parties apply reciprocity. I would not be shocked  if Putin said: Oh, yes. How many of us were fired from you? 

Well, we have found a breathtaking spying scandal. So we have to send some American diplomats back immediately.  And the number of these diplomats will be exactly the same 

I have no intention of arguing with a duck. The US has exercised its right to apply sanctions. I suggest you get over it. Enough said.

Just now, Honthy said:

Hacking is not just a hobby. It always has intention. If the stolen data are used now, or later, go to public or not are just question of interests. Do not be sure, that the gathered information from the other side and their own people will be well closed to a never opened drawer.  Sooner or later they will be gear of persuasion.

Cardinal Richelieu said: If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him. 

 

Intelligence gathering, whether it be hacking or physical observance, is done by all governments and most other competitive entities. Whether you see a difference between gathering and dissemination is not the point; the point is the Russians were caught in their covert attempts to influence internal US affairs and sanctions were rightly placed against them.

1 hour ago, Honthy said:

Why do you think these hacking happened? Just to know what Merkel had for dinner ? 

Hacking to gather intelligence is one thing; disseminating what you have gathered with intent to persuade is another,

3 hours ago, Caps said:

The US can not moan about anyone hacking them, yes is not good but when the boot is on the other foot

No point in moaning about things you do yourself.

NSA Hack Google

NSA hack Merkels phone 

To name but a few

 

Get over it 

Intelligence gathering versus selected-intelligence dissemination; not the same thing. If Russia did intentionally sway the US election; you think the US should just get over it?

5 hours ago, smutcakes said:

No great surprise to see the US where they are. A cursory glance at the US posters on TVF World News section sends alarming signals on the general level of mental aptitude of US citizens, and these are presumably part of the tiny % who have actually managed to negotiate leaving the country. Does not surprise that they show a similar level of ignorance within their own country.

Amazing isn't it; so many ignorant citizens, yet they have a greater economy, have higher monthly salaries, have more disposable income, have more material things, and prefer to live where they are than do the citizens of most other countries-.  I guess it's good to be ignorant.

6 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Did I read correctly, they haven't had sex since they got married 5 years ago,  hmmmm, is Harry a soft C..k, or gay ? 

No, she said they hadn't slept together. He probably sleeps on the floor at the foot of her bed.