21 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

My issue with the royal family is not so much them per se (although scandal after scandal doesn't help their cause much) but rather what they represent. They are the head of 'The Aristocracy' that includes Dukes, Marquess, Earls, Viscounts, Lords and Barons who through nothing other than birthright, own nearly 40% of the UK's land and dodge paying inheritance tax through family trusts established generations ago. The Grosvenor family for example, headed by the Duke of Westminster, is the wealthiest aristocratic family in the UK, with over $13 billion in wealth from their property portfolio alone - a portfolio that comes from centuries-old inheritance dating back to 1677. And what exactly do they do for the public to warrant such wealth? Unlike the Royals who at least put in the hours and represent the UK to the world stage, all these Dukes, Marquess, Earls, Viscounts, Lords and Barons do sweet FA other than a bit of charity work here and there. They get to enjoy fantastic wealth and privilege through nothing more then being born to the correct family and give nothing back in terms of social service.

 

The UK could certainly benefit from a lot less of these leaches.

 

 

I will not argue your point because I agree with the old world settings; you are very correct.  However, as an outsider, I am noticing tht a lot of these families are starting to rot simply because they really don't do anything, and these expenses cost a lot of money to keep up.    Sadly, this is part of the legacy that the Commonwealth has left to many countries. If you look at Pakistan and India, you will see the Feudal system is alive and well.  Landowners have schools on their properties that teach just enough for people to replace their parents.  Other countries in South Asia have set up their education systems for exactly the same thing.  

 

Remember, a lot of these were handed out in early times to protect the king.  If you are loyal, I will give you 100 acres and a title. Make sure you follow what I want and keep your people on your land in control.

 

There is a solution but the people need to make changes int eh way the UK government not the aristocracy are set up  I think William may have a greter impact than any others.

19 hours ago, sungod said:

I find it hard to believe he had 40 hookers in a hotel, and we are only hearing about it 20 years later.....

Because he didn't, at least not at the same time.  40 over 4 days is what is reported elsewhere.

On 11/1/2025 at 9:14 PM, Ralf001 said:

And?

 

 

How many where Kotoyes?

3 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Because he didn't, at least not at the same time.  40 over 4 days is what is reported elsewhere.

 Which I find equally as hard to believe that no one knows anything. 

Disgraced Andrew tipped to vanish from public life and live in 6-bed Abu Dhabi palace with Fort Knox-like security

Disgraced Andrew tipped to vanish from public life and live in 6-bed Abu Dhabi palace with Fort Knox-like security’ | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site for latest headlines

11 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Which upscale hotel has a hot tub that seats 41 ?

 

It's possible, and I have seen it done, where upscale hotel guests can plug up all the cracks under the doors of a large hotel suite, and then fill the entire suite with water.

 

Adding soap is optional.

 

The problem is that once the water level reaches almost up to the ceiling, some hotel floors are not designed for this weight, and abuse, and will crack and fall to the level below.

 

This can be very dangerous.

 

Checking building codes before doing this is imperative.

It all depends on how thick the concrete is.

 

If it's 6-inches, then it should hold a lot of weight.

This is why some hotels have roof-top swimming pools.

 

But, you need to plan for this.

You cannot just decide to make a swimming pool out of your hotel suite without first doing the required calculations.

 

16 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

 

How many where Kotoyes?

Ever known an Englishman not fond of the LB'S???

2 hours ago, pegman said:

Ever known an Englishman not fond of the LB'S???

 

Nope.

Came up with motto for Andy: "Think globally, hire locally" 

You say that we all did not do that in our early trips to Thailand...or was it just me?

They should make Andrew an honorary member of the Pattaya HHH Dirt Road.