Brake Malfunction Mistaken for Bus Fire: Passengers Safely Evacuated in Chiang Rai
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49
People who support Cashless Society
It’s remarkable how much can be inferred just from our internet activity, ATM use, travel patterns etc... From a broader perspective, there are alternative solutions like cryptocurrencies and crypto-cards, though these introduce an entirely separate debate - one centred on the degree to which governments might permit such decentralised systems (a separate discussion for another time). As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. Yet, transitions like these inevitably bring about a great deal of uncertainty - a challenge in itself, more so for some older folk perhaps (and once again a separate discussion for another time). Change, by its nature, is rarely welcomed. I fully understand the unease it brings, particularly when it raises legitimate concerns about privacy and surveillance. Your point about tracking is valid - it's a pressing issue, though, in many respects, facial recognition technology has already set a precedent for how little control we truly have in the near future. Payment systems, then, are but a small piece of this much larger issue. Thus, with that said, I’ve observed a significant amount of opposition to cashless payment systems in various discussions on this forum. Many of the arguments are poorly reasoned, often bordering on paranoid delusion. At times, they appear to mask deeper frustrations, perhaps resentment towards younger generations who are quick to embrace technologies like mobile payments, or even a broader distaste for the younger demographic itself. -
79
Syrian government falls in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family
Did you not recently write that Jimmy Kimmel 'says it as it is' when referring to US political topics? -
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22
Russia Doomed .. Just a Wetdream
I guess the confusd emojos were from the Americans that didn't know their geography and thought murica was the world. -
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Private Sector Opposes Uniform 400-Baht Minimum Wage Proposal
Maybe the industry should lower the wages, so that people are unable anymore to buy things...m They will going bankrupt and that will be much better because of their greed... The bosses and CEO's will have big wages and bonusses, while the people hardly can make ends meet, Do they think it will motivate these people to work better? They have already long days and it seems they are the modern slaves, just enough to eat, but nothing more and the businesses cry fool if they think they the have to invest in workforce. The government should make a monthly wage for everybody of at least 12,5k a mont for a 6 day workweek of max 9 hours a day. If people earn more they can spend more and that will be good for the business, but that seems Thai don't understand -
125
Now starting: Chiang Mai Expats Dining Group
Fascinating for me to watch this topic develop. Here's why: A major trend these days, all over the world, is seismic shift of social contact from in-person to "social media". This forum is an example of "social media". Most expats in Thailand are older, over 50, some well over. We grew up when "social" meant parties, lunches or dinners, BBQs, going for a beer, going fishing/hunting/camping with friends, etc. In other words, person-to-person. But now most social interaction is on-line using computers and mobile phones. I, for one, miss the benefits of the old ways, the in-person ways. For me, all my life, it has been easy to meet and talk with people. Not all become close friends, but getting acquainted with strangers has always come easily to me: In restaurants, in the next seat on an airplane, at the dinner table on a cruise ship, attending a trade show, etc. So now, living in Chiang Mai, if I see some opportunity to talk with another expat, often I will open a conversation. I've met and talked with many of my fellow expats in restaurants, in a barber shop, in the elevator at my condo, at TOPS supermarket. One time, even in the hardware section at "Home Pro". I saw another farang looking confused and said, "Maybe I can help you find something." He looked so relieved to find someone who could speak English! And I was able to translate what he needed for the Home Pro staff. That's the kind of personal interaction that I enjoy and I want to foster among my fellow expats here. Years ago I ran a two large dinner groups (but not in Thailand). Typical attendance was 20-25. The most was 28 -- and that was a big mistake, just too many. One rainy night only 11 showed up. And that was one of the best dinners ever -- with lively conversation all around. So as I thought about the "isolation" brought on by social media, I started wondering what I might do. Thus my idea to post here, and perhaps attract other expats whom I would never enounter otherwise. When I have met other expats, most are well-mannered, polite, and have interesting and useful topics to talk about. Most say they would like to meet again and most are interested in meeting with other expats, too. (Not all, of course.) So I decided to offer that idea to this forum. Oh, boy! What a shock this has been. The responses here are totally different than responses in person. Well-mannered? Only a tiny few. Polite: Hah! Interesting ideas and observations about our common interest (expat life in Thailand): almost none. Trolls: almost too many to count. Big difference between the social interaction on social media like this and the experiences I have in person. So when I read here advice to open this lunch group to anyone and everyone who might wander in, I say, No. Absolutely no. There must be a gate-keeper to keep out the riff-raff. Who are the riff-raff? For starters, everyone who has already garnered a place on my "ignore user" list here. And who will be the gate-keeper? Think about it and let me know if you have any ideas. So, I will continue meeting other expats in casual ways, as I have been doing. And a few of them, will get invited to meet again, and with a few other expats. But as for posting about it on any social media, never again. Just not worth the aggravation that has been posted on this topic. Now I will un-follow this topic, and will not receive any notice of new posts. I am certainly open to discussion in private messages, but not on this public thread with so much monkey chatter all around. -
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6,724
Australian Aged Pension
Just to recap what others have said on page 224, my interpretation of the pension supplement is, for a single person per fortnight, - Basic supplement $28.90, which is paid even after more than 6 weeks overseas - Total supplement to $44.80 minimum to $83.20 maximum, pro-rated by the amount of part pension received, the part of which is on top of the basic supplement ceasing after 6 weeks overseas - Energy supplement of $14.10, which ceases after 6 weeks overseas Couldn’t find any information on whether the basic supplement is pro-rated by part pension, so I’m guessing it isn’t. (If overseas for more than 26 weeks, different rules apply for those who haven’t been long term Australian residents. I think these rules would only affect those who emigrated to Australia as adults, wouldn’t affect those who’ve spent most of their lives in Australia.) Apologies if I’ve made any mistakes here, just trying to do my best, and of course as others have said, contact Centrelink if you need definitive information. System wouldn’t let me post the links to Services Australia. Bing searches for “Australian age pension supplement” and “Australian age pension supplement overseas” took me to the relevant Services Australia pages (I can’t use Google search while running my VPN, which I always do while using hotel WiFi)
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