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84
Another Major Trump Flip-Flop
Undocumented Immigrants Pay More Than Their Fair Share of Taxes https://itep.org/undocumented-immigrants-pay-more-than-their-fair-share-of-taxes/ Trump says undocumented immigrants are an economic burden. They pay billions in taxes. https://www.vox.com/2018/4/13/17229018/undocumented-immigrants-pay-taxes -
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Does Trump completely lack decency and compassion?
Are you saying the firestorm is or isn’t Trumps fault. Simple question requires a simple answer. Please communicate.. -
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Here's Your War Monger, MAGAs
Hitler was one of the people Time named Man of the Year. So was Stalin. Well, given Trump's predilection for dictators, he may well consider it an honor to be ranked with them. -
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Fears of Chinese New Year Tourist Drop Amid Human Trafficking Alarm
Don't worry Thailand your motherland has not forgotten you. You are squarely in their sights. -
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Another Major Trump Flip-Flop
So who pays for their medical and education? What percentage of illegals do you think pay social security? Not many -
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Here's Your War Monger, MAGAs
The outcome is the same. I have nothing to learn from leftists. They have proven their incompetence and ignorance many times over. They on the other hand have so much to learn. -
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Thailand airports boost biometrics for faster service times
I just did a week of plane travel. I must say I like it. Very fast and easy. -
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Essential Driving Rules and Etiquette in Thailand
Most expat/foreign drivers are very ethnocentric in their views of driving in Thailand and even after years in the country fail to grasp the basics of Thai culture and apply that to the driving environment. Driving in Thailand the influence of boats and Rivers “Rivers and canals are synonymous with Thai life and culture”[1] (Batra, 2014). Before WW2 - rivers were the main transport routes in Thailand. The power and influence that the “river” still has on daily Thai life should not be underestimated. The canals date back to well before the founding of Bangkok in 1782 and were the primary means of transportation, a source of food and water, part of ceremonies in particular Loy Krathong and many other activities. Before Bangkok, the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya was dubbed “Venice of the East” by the first European visitors in the 17th century. Important structures, such as markets and temples, were built on the river and canal banks. This in turn influenced the development of the city and its layout. With the introduction of the automobile and roads, the role of the canal system in Thai life was reduced but things like the rules of transport remained embedded in the Thai psyche. As roads took over, buildings were constructed facing them and canals have been paved over to become streets.” Long-tail boats, Thailand’s version of gondolas, were the mainstay of Thai transport; they literally kept the Thai economy afloat. Originally the boats were mostly skulled with some small sails. The relatively still waters of the delta rivers and canals being suitable for these flat-bottom boats to glide over the surface. So, Thailand’s transport history and development was for centuries predominantly centred on rivers. Thai water culture influences all aspects of Thai life. “Kuaytiao reua” boat noodles restaurants still have a boat for display or shape their counters like boats. Buildings like temples, schools, hotels and condominiums are frequently built in shapes that mimic boats. Decorations on Vehicles The roads are no different - The ornate decorations on buses, trucks and other vehicles have most of their roots in the decor of boats and barges. The iconography of symbols on commercial vehicles is a fascinating topic of its own. Mandalas, Gods of speed and those icons of Serpico to ward off corrupt police. Taxis and many private vehicles have ornate shrines in the front that are just the same as the boats with offerings to Mae Ya Nang. You will also see various other icons. Yants, similar to tattoos are usually drawn above rear-view mirrors by monks who bless the vehicle. Images of Thai kings, often on a bank note, decorate dashboards on taxis and other commercial vehicles. Goddess Mae Ya Nang Many Thai people believe Mae Ya Nang to be a female spirit that resides in the body of the boat, it is also said that Mae Ya Nang is the Goddess of journeys. By paying respect to Mae Ya Nang passengers can expect her protection and a safe journey. Thailand imports and then “adapts”. Adding bits of tradition and culture to whatever it is they have taken a shine to...the car is no exception. Look inside any truck bus, taxi or car in Thailand and you’ll see evidence of this. Steering wheels, the rooves, and dashboards are adorned with symbols and rituals taken from boats - Garlands hang from the “stem” - the rear-view mirror - shrines to Mae Ya Nang. And so it goes on almost every car, truck or bus.. The general public still pay at least a nodding respect to Mae Ya Nang and it obviously influences their attitude to driving. (NB in Europe, the West and Catholic countries, saluting of spirits under bridges and the ubiquitous St Christopher medals in cars). At every traffic light you can be offered a garland of Jasmin flowers (phuang malai)[2] to hang of your mirror to show respect to this goddess. (BTW - it’s 20 baht a time and give them the old one for recycling) “I’m in a boat” Anyone who has owned or moored a river boat will recognise the similarities with the double or three deep “mooring” in car parks and the moorings for boats on a bank or jetty; vehicles are left with no brake on so they can be pushed out of the way like any boat at a mooring. The proposition that the Thai national psyche is orientated towards river transport is to me particularly appealing. It could indeed account for a lot of road traffic behaviour that seems to show an abundance of those characteristics. In towns it flows much more as if on water than on asphalt. Even out on the open road you can see behaviour that fits more with navigating a boat on a river than the western idea of driving a car. The sweeping lines taken around bend across the lanes of traffic, no sudden halts just gentle drifting out into mainstreams. Swinging into the current from a tributary (side road) - The contraflow traffic moving slowly alongside the bank (i.e. - hard shoulder or central reservation) sheltering from the oncoming current… moving off so slowly so as not to upset the load…and of course parking nose first - putting in the bow and hoping the stern will drift in round behind, all are perfect examples of how to handle a boat on a river. The Thai driver - anthropologically speaking at least, seems to be in a boat. When this culture is added to the speed capability of road-going motor vehicles, you get a potentially unsettling mixture of fluidity and danger. So, next time you’re out driving, just keep repeating to yourself “I’m in a boat, I’m in a boat, I’m in a boat” and you may be pleasantly surprised to see how it all comes together… -
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Ruble trouble: Russian tourist robbed and roughed up in Phuket
sorry but they are both becoming bad
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