GinBoy2

I'm with you on the shirtless thing. You're not at the beach, just put on a damn shirt. You're right it's not just farangs, but nobody in a Western city thinks it's OK to walk around shirtless, often displaying a less than adonis like body. Yet they land in BKK and off comes the shirt, flab and all!

Well in the nightlife world that was never my thing, Good dinner, nice hotel and back to BKK or DMK the next morning. But each to their own and I'm sure there are some alternate 'attractions' in the nighttime hours for those inclined for something more than dinner and a few drinks

Well, you're right maybe I exaggerated Restaurants are Bangkok's saving grace, before getting on the plane and getting the Hell outta there.

I agree with this. My last eye exam last month basically said that I have early stage cataracts, but that has been the same for the past several years. My eye doctor says nothing unusual for my age and until it gets problematic for my vision, she looks forward to seeing me next year

I've never lived in BKK, but owned rental condo's there Hated every minute I spent there. Traffic, pollution, and lets let not mention the shi'''''t in the klongs I just don't like the place If I wanted big city stuff, NYC or LA or basically anywhere in the West would be a better option

Maybe I lost the plot. There are 9 of them, one is a woman, one is the suspect, so seven able bodied men aren't able to in some way restrain and control the suspect? I'm assuming this isn't some mass murderer psycho who is going to kill everyone in their sleep, but some guy thats gone a little bat sh***t crazy down there

It's a hard watch, but totally get why it's #1 on Netflix right now

Then you've had some pretty <deleted>ty internet providers. Starlink $90/month for a 220MB download speed, with terrible pings I pay $78/month for a rock solid 1Gig from Bluepeak and pings under 10

I never said you didn't have to pay for it, but it's invisible, giving the illusion of 'free' and thats what deludes folks when they travel overseas. A lot of us in some way shape or form write a check, or have some debit to our account every month just for health insurance I think that's the bit a lot of, especially young Brits in Thailand fail to recognize. This stuff ain't free

I kinda agree with that. The embassy isn't there to bribe your way out of whatever crime you've committed, advice maybe. Also there seems to be a misconception, primarily with the Brits, when some health emergency happens the embassy will get you home. Maybe it's because at home you believe everything is free, for a lot of us we're used to paying for health insurance at home or overseas

This is how delusional some guys are. I will never look at a Western woman again, she wants me sooooo much

Never quite got what I think is a fake obsession with Western vs Thai women. We all have 'likes', why do some white women want black men for example. My first marriage failed for no other reason that I was always on the road for work, and we just drifted apart. My second marriage to my Thai wife started when we were both working at the same company in Singapore She had grown up in the US so culturally we were the same, but I won't deny deny I liked the asian part. But here we are decades later, both my wife and ex get on and I love them both, and they are both mature women late 50's early 60's and I find them both super sexy women. I wouldn't want a woman young enough to be my daughter, thats too creepy and lets not beat around the bush, that's based on money. Both of my wives are pretty similar, feisty professional women, not afraid to speak their mind, and nothing pleases them more when they are together to bitch about me! ....my Thai wife is a better cook however

It's a case of pluses and minuses. Our house in Thailand is without doubt better than our house in the US, although build quality and longevity might be questionable. Health care, well my US healthcare is pretty comprehensive, whereas my Thai insurance after becoming ridiculously expensive dropped me. I 'could rely on Government hospitals, but outside BKK go in to one them, you basically come out in a box, so I'll stick with my US hospital Food is way cheaper in Thailand and is a real plus Utilities, electricity are about the same, although my electric doesn't go off at the first clap of thunder as it does in Thailand My internet little more expensive than I pay in Thailand, but a heck more reliable for slightly better service Hmm and VPN, yeah you need that in Thailand because God forbid you utter anything that could get you in 112 trouble! I'll tolerate the nonsense on Fox News not to have to worry about that!

Well probably a large percentage of AN have eye degeneration and go to an eye doc. Doctors normally quote astigmatism in diopters not percentage, so I'm not sure what 100% astigmatism even means. That would be a warning bell for me Astigmatism is always correctable, but just check you're not being 'over sold'

I've used Skype almost since it started. But things moved on, a little like phone calls in general. Folks don't call they either Facetime or Facebook messenger for totally free video calls, and kids never talk only text on whatever platform Over the years the banks have got pretty good at detecting VOIP calls so that little niche has also dwindled. As lamentable as it is, it looks like Skype has gone the same way as the rotary dial landline. RIP

The guy has been out of the UK for at least 25 years, so I guess he hasn't paid in to anything. Wonder what the future holds for him when he lands in LHR? Hopefully he still has some family, not estranged, that will take him in while he tries to pick up the train wreak of his life. I'll let the Brits beat out the asylum benefits thing between themselves. But for this guy, and who knows how old he is, tough times; immigration detention then off to a country he hasn't lived in for 25 years

Well the thing is most folks do diddly squat most of the time. I lived in San Diego for years, unbelievable beaches, and after I'd lived there a few months, only time I ever went there was when folks came to visit and I'd show them around. Once you've done the touristy stuff, you're done and it's back to the humdrum routine of normal life Not going down the 'nightlife' saga of certain participants, thats an ecosphere all by itself But for most 'regular' folks, you wake up breakfast, maybe you work, maybe go for a walk, watch some TV, agonize what you want for dinner. The same routine could be in almost any country, you just need to figure out what country you want to be in

Thailand is a mixed bag, like almost anywhere, but if it stops being fun you more on. I suspect for many as they age, the savings dwindling it gets a whole lot less 'fun' Health can decline, and good luck getting health insurance at almost any price 65+, which means you're staring down a Government hospital, which outside of BKK can be pretty dire. So what was fun, in your 40's and 50's can become pretty horrendous if you get down to counting pennies in your 60's, 70's and if it gets to it, tin roof shack in Isaan! Then for some, I'll include myself, you just kinda bore of it. Been There, Done That,Got Tee Shirt kinda moment. Thailand is a little like Disneyland, but with hookers and a whole lot dirtier!

The whole thing was a disaster. Anybody with a brain knew Biden was an elderly man without the capacity to be a President. Not to say he was infirm, but we all know when to hang up the shingle and just play with the grandkids Harris; hmm always had my doubts about her, never could quite trust her after the dodgy deal she made with San Onofre settlement. I voted for Biden the first time on the assumption he was going to be a one time President and hand it over to a new generation. He blew that and denied any real transition. A proper primary would in my opinion have given the country a real choice for President But now time to lick our wounds and plan for the future I'm pretty sure Newsom is planning for the next round, which I would applaud

So when is the next exciting vacation to Iran? I know it will be exciting and memorable, and we all wait with bated breath to see the photo's

This may sound weird, but almost look back fondly to the coup days. A lot of very spirited discussion all dancing around certain words that couldn't be mentioned, but overall quite intelligent if polarized And there was a lot more practical stuff, visas, DIY and Nancy with health stuff Today if I had to guess a lot of the mass posters are some kind of AI or just the publishers creating clickbate to get eyeballs

I rather liked that definition of 'remarkable and reckless' I wish I'd thought of that expression, but very accurate

Seriously you somehow thinking doing something totally irresponsible is in somehow noble? All it does place your fellow nationals in jeopardy. There are many duel Iranian citizens in fear of visiting their family in Iran because the hubris of a few who think, 'I'm Immune' well 'no sh***t' they now find themselves as a bargaining chip, well advised by their government not to do it. Don't lecture me, I await anxiously to see your next posts and pictures from Iran and North Korea on your next visits But don't expect any tears when you end up in some hell hole lock up for trumped up charges

Much as I feel for them, really what were they thinking. Western governments issue travel warnings for a reason, hardly the first UK citizens to be detained in Iran. The outcome I would also speculate because of their stupidity will be they get traded for some obnoxious terrorists held in Western prisons. I had similar thoughts about Otto Warmbier who died in North Korea after thinking it would be a jolly prank to steal a North Korea propaganda poster in a police state where you are under constant surveillance. I hope they get released but lets hope the price isn't too high. .....and next time take a cruise

Kinda thought about that the other day Many of you know I work for an airline. I was on the flight deck talking with the crew. Capt. had his jacket off, short sleeve shirt and he was sporting a full sleeve tattoo. Never seen that before, but I'd like to believe his desire for tats doesn't affect his mental ability to pilot a couple of hundred souls through the air