In the past, I have made a number of critical posts about the types of dudes who hang out endlessly on AN like they punch a clock here, but I was thinking about it this morning and actually AN is far more wonderful than I sometimes give it credit for, and I truly mean that in the nicest of possible ways. It is an organically unique environment that you will not find anywhere else on the internet.

For example, I can post just about anything I want, give birth to a windup, or pile on a huge load of porkies and somebody will still be there to actually listen to me, possibly even give me a smug and snarky response within minutes. That sort of service and reliability is rare these days. It is also one of the few places left where no subject is too trivial to become a full scale debate. A thread about flipflops, body hair maintenance, skin rashes, air conditioner repairs, immigration dilemmas, or local banking woes can suddenly unfold like an industrial strength crisis.

Then there is the community itself. Where else do you get the pleasure of being around one of the largest gatherings of socially dysfunctional middle aged Western plonkers outside of a nursing home? AN brings together a remarkable collection of bores, know it alls, flamers, snipers, oversharers, armchair busybodies, misfits and gloriously confident halfwits, all under one roof. You do not even need to know what you are talking about. You just need the confidence to act like a bell end and say it loudly and repeatedly.

Another thing I like is that no matter how odd you may think you are, within a few minutes somebody even stranger will appear and make you feel perfectly normal by comparison. That is a real public service when you think about it. There is also something oddly comforting about the fact that being completely wrong never stops anyone from posting another twelve times that same day. In a world full of self doubt, that kind of misplaced confidence is almost inspiring. You can even post a topic that is just complete slop, something about gecko excrement piling up on the toothbrush shelf in your bathroom or turds that will not flush, then throw in a picture of a jar of Vegemite and a Rolling Stones music video link from YouTube, and Bob’s your uncle.

So yes, AN may be chaotic, repetitive, almost fully unhinged, and full of men who should probably spend a bit more time, you know… outdoors. But where else can you find such a dependable supply of bizarre opinions, bruised egos, delusional narcissists, and unsolicited life advice all in one place?

In its own deeply dysfunctional way, it is actually rather special, so there is no good reason to even try to give up the peculiar addiction.

11 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

That is a real public service when you think about it.

Yes, it’s a real public service to further individuals self insecurities, contribute to antisocial disorders and beating dead-horse topics even deader.

You could say that — and honestly, that’s half the charm. AN only works because it sits right on that edge: just enough chaos to keep it lively, just enough order to stop it collapsing. The place (The Pub) runs on big personalities, bad takes, and endless back-and-forth, and somehow that mix keeps it going. It’s not really that the lunatics are running the asylum — it’s that everyone gets to feel like they are, which is probably the only reason it works

15 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

The place (The Pub) runs on big personalities, bad takes, and endless back-and-forth, and somehow that mix keeps it going. It’s not really that the lunatics are running the asylum — it’s that everyone gets to feel like they are, which is probably the only reason it works

If only the back and forth wasn’t as....ummm....ahhh....something im not allowed to say or comment on.

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

You could say that — and honestly, that’s half the charm. AN only works because it sits right on that edge: just enough chaos to keep it lively, just enough order to stop it collapsing. The place (The Pub) runs on big personalities, bad takes, and endless back-and-forth, and somehow that mix keeps it going. It’s not really that the lunatics are running the asylum — it’s that everyone gets to feel like they are, which is probably the only reason it works

I went onto a forum once time that had absolutely no moderation whatsoever. After two minutes, I had to get out of there, and it took a week to wash that foul stench off.

44 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I went onto a forum once time that had absolutely no moderation whatsoever. After two minutes, I had to get out of there, and it took a week to wash that foul stench off.

I don't know if it was the same one, but I once very, very briefly looked at a site (the name was similar to a 'wooden aperture filler'). It was absolutely morally corrupt. It was just OP's trying to be as offensive to each other as possible. I'd never even heard some of the derogatory terms used (but have certainly used some since 😁). I'm all for free speech and banter but this was taking it to the extreme. I didn't sign up.

Somewhere between this site currently and the other one I viewed would be a happy medium for what I would like as a forum.

4 hours ago, CharlieH said:

You could say that — and honestly, that’s half the charm. AN only works because it sits right on that edge: just enough chaos to keep it lively, just enough order to stop it collapsing. The place (The Pub) runs on big personalities, bad takes, and endless back-and-forth, and somehow that mix keeps it going. It’s not really that the lunatics are running the asylum — it’s that everyone gets to feel like they are, which is probably the only reason it works

I agree, if we compare to another Pattaya forum that has a nice to be nice ethos, god it's boring, most interesting posters have gone from there

So what you're saying is you can't get no satisfaction from the forum?

3 hours ago, Keeps said:

I don't know if it was the same one, but I once very, very briefly looked at a site (the name was similar to a 'wooden aperture filler'). It was absolutely morally corrupt. It was just OP's trying to be as offensive to each other as possible. I'd never even heard some of the derogatory terms used (but have certainly used some since 😁). I'm all for free speech and banter but this was taking it to the extreme. I didn't sign up.

Somewhere between this site currently and the other one I viewed would be a happy medium for what I would like as a forum.

I don't think there should be any prejudice about another forum and thankyou for not mentioning that forums name , please there's no need for discrimination it bias against other forums , you didn't sign up and they didn't want you either

6 hours ago, CharlieH said:

You could say that — and honestly, that’s half the charm. AN only works because it sits right on that edge: just enough chaos to keep it lively, just enough order to stop it collapsing. The place (The Pub) runs on big personalities, bad takes, and endless back-and-forth, and somehow that mix keeps it going. It’s not really that the lunatics are running the asylum — it’s that everyone gets to feel like they are, which is probably the only reason it works

I guess you are getting it...if it doesn't mirror the real world, it won't be sustainable.

Frank discussions without getting carried away with abusive terms.

47 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

So what you're saying is you can't get no satisfaction from the forum?

And the post of the day award goes to.........👏👏

16 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Quite ironic really that I just had a totally innocuous, tongue in cheek post removed despite the post I replied to remaining......

What are the words I'm looking for? 🤔

Your post was discriminatory, please try to use commonsemse especially a man at your age who I take it was bullied at school , thankyou for your service

8 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

y spend a bit more time, you know… outdoors.

I spend more time indoors than I would like because it's too hot most of the day.

Your only options are indoors, bars, or air-conditioned malls.

That's one reason owning a bar is a good business here. No one can stay out in this heat too long and the bars are packed all day.

I miss seasons, except winter.

8 hours ago, CharlieH said:

. The place (The Pub) runs on big personalities, bad takes, and endless back-and-forth, and somehow that mix keeps it going

The Pub is my favourite, lots and lots of characters here. Life is too bloody serious at times, the laugh you get from the Pub is awesome, you guys should charge admission. 💲💲💲💲

I also like the Dear Abby coloumn......poor buggers. 😔

I hope life works out for those guys.

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

So what you're saying is you can't get no satisfaction from the forum?

Is that you GG with another Stones video that we've never seen before and a comment equally as inspiring to go with it?

The OP describes it quite accurately. But it's "alive". Wise men as well as morons can post here. Has a certain "entertainement value".

Recommendation: Just read the first 2 pages. Once you reach page 10, all you get is the "ping pong game" where a few die hards exchange personal insults.

On 3/25/2026 at 10:35 AM, SoCal1990 said:

In the past, I have made a number of critical posts about the types of dudes who hang out endlessly on AN like they punch a clock here, but I was thinking about it this morning and actually AN is far more wonderful than I sometimes give it credit for, and I truly mean that in the nicest of possible ways. It is an organically unique environment that you will not find anywhere else on the internet.

For example, I can post just about anything I want, give birth to a windup, or pile on a huge load of porkies and somebody will still be there to actually listen to me, possibly even give me a smug and snarky response within minutes. That sort of service and reliability is rare these days. It is also one of the few places left where no subject is too trivial to become a full scale debate. A thread about flipflops, body hair maintenance, skin rashes, air conditioner repairs, immigration dilemmas, or local banking woes can suddenly unfold like an industrial strength crisis.

Then there is the community itself. Where else do you get the pleasure of being around one of the largest gatherings of socially dysfunctional middle aged Western plonkers outside of a nursing home? AN brings together a remarkable collection of bores, know it alls, flamers, snipers, oversharers, armchair busybodies, misfits and gloriously confident halfwits, all under one roof. You do not even need to know what you are talking about. You just need the confidence to act like a bell end and say it loudly and repeatedly.

Another thing I like is that no matter how odd you may think you are, within a few minutes somebody even stranger will appear and make you feel perfectly normal by comparison. That is a real public service when you think about it. There is also something oddly comforting about the fact that being completely wrong never stops anyone from posting another twelve times that same day. In a world full of self doubt, that kind of misplaced confidence is almost inspiring. You can even post a topic that is just complete slop, something about gecko excrement piling up on the toothbrush shelf in your bathroom or turds that will not flush, then throw in a picture of a jar of Vegemite and a Rolling Stones music video link from YouTube, and Bob’s your uncle.

So yes, AN may be chaotic, repetitive, almost fully unhinged, and full of men who should probably spend a bit more time, you know… outdoors. But where else can you find such a dependable supply of bizarre opinions, bruised egos, delusional narcissists, and unsolicited life advice all in one place?

In its own deeply dysfunctional way, it is actually rather special, so there is no good reason to even try to give up the peculiar addiction.

I agree with your comments and I must say the mediators of this page seem to have stopped the idiot Bob who was introducing a new b/s far fetched story that he dreamt up using a different handle every time. While I commend them for that I would like to see the issue of personal attacks that turns it into facebook like.They are not necessary and you can disagree with someone but there is no need to get nasty about . Keep up the good work.

"In Praise of AN"... what? What is it you are praising? I know whatever it is, its name starts with a vowel, but other than that, I have no idea...

On 3/24/2026 at 9:02 PM, CharlieH said:

You could say that — and honestly, that’s half the charm. AN only works because it sits right on that edge: just enough chaos to keep it lively, just enough order to stop it collapsing. The place (The Pub) runs on big personalities, bad takes, and endless back-and-forth, and somehow that mix keeps it going. It’s not really that the lunatics are running the asylum — it’s that everyone gets to feel like they are, which is probably the only reason it works

You can't certify your own mental health.