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Corruption? at Phuket Immigration.
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Swiss man in Phuket acquitted of assaulting doctor
I think we all know just how intelligent this guy based on his actions -
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Swiss man in Phuket acquitted of assaulting doctor
Also in most countries on this planet -
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Buakhao flooded again
Going over a drain when it's flooded is always a risk https://www.facebook.com/share/r/ogP7DJ4CfRUYB3sE/?mibextid=oFDknk -
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Solar - 8kW Hybrid Inverter w/10kWh (upgraded to 20kWh in Sept. 2022) ESS/battery (not DIY)
Solar production past 3 days has been just OK, and looks like the next week, probably 5 to 7 of the next 10 days, is going to be the same. Good .. not brutally sunny & hot, and no 'feels like' 5-10+ degrees added to ambient temp. Can actually get by with just fans, although still enough produced to run the ACs, if not too abusive. Bad ... takes a good part of the day to recharge the ESS. Instead of topped up before 1000 hrs, it's taking till 1400 hrs. Although you can tell when I charged the MC. Got back from the park with the dog just as it started to drizzle a bit of rain. Also backed a Cheesecake for about 1 hr worth of appliances, and wife on the sewing machine, all day. Certainly not charging the car, though don't need to. The rain part is, just an annoying (if on scooters) drizzle now & than. Shies are almost 100% clouds, light, allowing sun through, to very ominous dark gray, but not much rain. A bit better than overcast & heavier rain, as that would probably knock production down to 10 ish kWh a day. Needing 6kWh over night, if minimal AC, or just fan on, while sleeping. -
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Russian Tourist Found Dead Near Karon Beach in Mysterious Circumstances
Russian Man Found Dead Near Karon Beach, Police Suspect He was Murdered By Goongnang Suksawat Karon, Phuket– On Tuesday, August 3rd, a Russian man was found dead near Karon Beach, with police suspecting foul play. The Karon Police were alerted by a local resident at 1:10 P.M. about a body discovered in a ditch near the Naga statue. Upon arrival, police, accompanied by a doctor and the Phuket Express, found the body of a foreign man, shirtless and wearing shorts. The man had severe slash wounds on both arms and a head injury. Police believe the man, identified only as Mr. Ilia, 27, a Russian national, had been dead for at least 24 hours before his body was discovered. There were no signs of a struggle at the scene, however. A doctor on the scene suggested the death was unnatural, and an autopsy was planned to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death of the victim. Near the body, police found a black bag containing two passports. One passport belonged to Mr. Ilia, and the other to a Russian woman. Records show that Mr. Ilia entered Thailand on April 24th of this year with a 90-day visa exemption. Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS -- 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Weigh-station chief arrested for allegedly accepting bribes
Disgusting behavior, give him a couple of years behind bars, that should teach him. -
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Swiss man in Phuket acquitted of assaulting doctor
You have been in jail Lou ,you should know the system -
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Hunter Biden’s Legal Battles Addiction and High Stakes in New Tax Trial This Week
Hunter Biden, is set to face his second trial this year, this time on charges related to his failure to pay over a million dollars in federal taxes. The charges allege that he withheld at least $1.4 million between 2016 and 2019, during a period marked by his severe addiction to crack cocaine, which intensified following his brother Beau Biden's death from brain cancer. The addiction played a pivotal role in his earlier trial, where Hunter was convicted of lying about his drug use on a federal gun purchase form, marking the first criminal conviction of a sitting president’s child. Hunter’s battle with addiction is expected to once again be at the center of his defense in the upcoming tax trial, which will begin with jury selection on September 5, followed by opening statements on September 9 in a California federal court. Hunter has pleaded not guilty to the charges. During a pretrial hearing in Los Angeles last month, his lawyer, Mark Geragos, accused the prosecution of attempting to smear Hunter’s character by focusing on his personal struggles rather than the alleged crimes. “They want to slime him because that is the whole purpose,” Geragos argued, suggesting that the prosecution’s strategy is to paint Hunter in a negative light through salacious evidence and testimonies. The evidence prosecutors plan to present includes details about Hunter's lavish lifestyle during his addiction, including his involvement with strip clubs, sex workers, drugs, and alcohol. Prosecutors argue that these personal expenditures provide insight into Hunter’s state of mind during the time he allegedly failed to file and pay his taxes. In court, prosecutor Leo Wise highlighted Hunter’s spending habits as potentially relevant to the jury’s assessment of whether his tax-related actions were intentional or reckless. Wise cited Hunter’s payment to a pornographic website as an example of an expense Hunter categorized as a business deduction, showcasing his problematic financial decisions during that period. “He describes partying in hotels with a cast of strippers,” Wise said. “He chose to pay them, which is fine — it’s America, you can do that. But then he chose to take it as a business deduction.” Hunter’s legal team has sought to limit references to his extravagant lifestyle, proposing to acknowledge his spending on generalized personal expenses if the court restricts detailed descriptions of his actions. U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, overseeing the trial, stated that he would decide on these requests on a case-by-case basis during the trial but noted the importance of such evidence for assessing Hunter’s mental state in relation to some of the felony counts he faces. Hunter is charged with nine counts, including tax evasion and filing false tax returns. While his legal team argues that his addiction severely impaired his judgment, making it impossible for him to have willfully committed these crimes, it will ultimately be up to the jury to decide his fate. A conviction could have severe consequences, especially since Hunter is no longer a first-time offender, following his earlier conviction on gun charges. The trial promises to be highly charged, not just legally but emotionally, as Hunter’s personal history will undoubtedly play a prominent role. While Hunter and his father, President Biden, have openly discussed his struggles with addiction, Judge Scarsi has ruled that Hunter’s legal team cannot argue that his past traumas, such as his brother’s death or the 1972 car accident that killed his mother and sister, directly caused his addiction, deeming such evidence irrelevant to the case. Throughout his legal battles, Hunter Biden has expressed gratitude for his journey toward recovery. “Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time,” he said after his conviction on gun charges. As his second trial unfolds, Hunter’s addiction will once again be at the forefront, but this time, the stakes are even higher, with his future hanging in the balance as a jury of 12 Californians prepares to deliver their verdict. Credit: The Hill 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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The Inhumanity of Hamas and the Global Silence
The brutal murder of six Israeli hostages by Hamas, taken during the October 7 attack last year, lays bare the sheer mercilessness of this terrorist organization. The horror of this atrocity is underscored by the fact that much of Gaza now lies in ruins, a consequence of Hamas's actions in starting a war by massacring approximately 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping more than 200. Despite the devastation and the undeniable cruelty of Hamas, the international narrative remains overwhelmingly anti-Israeli, even as special forces recover the bodies of innocent people dragged from their homes. The lack of outrage from global leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General, who has been quick to denounce Israel's counter-offensive, further compounds this issue. If Hamas intended to derail the ceasefire talks by murdering the hostages, it was met with defiance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reaffirmed his government's commitment to securing a deal to bring the remaining 97 captives home, including 27 who are presumed dead. As Netanyahu stated, "Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal." Despite this, a temporary "humanitarian pause" in the conflict began over the weekend in parts of Gaza to allow for a polio immunization program among 600,000 children under 10, a move that could pave the way for a broader cessation of hostilities. Netanyahu now faces increased pressure to agree to a halt, particularly as the families of the murdered hostages accuse him of abandoning their loved ones. A group representing these families claimed that the delay in reaching a ceasefire agreement contributed to the deaths of their relatives. In response, Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued an apology for the failure to bring them home, and a general strike is being planned to bolster demands for a ceasefire. Amidst the grief and political fallout, it is crucial not to lose sight of where the true culpability lies. The actions of Hamas have not only brought devastation upon Israel but have also led to widespread suffering in Gaza. The international community's failure to hold Hamas accountable for its inhumanity is a troubling reflection of its inability to confront the real source of violence in this conflict. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Swing State Polls Suggest Trump Could Edge Out Harris in Crucial 2024 Battle
Recent polling data from key battleground states suggests that former President Donald Trump could potentially secure a decisive victory against Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Surveys conducted by Trafalgar and Insider Advantage between August 28-31 indicate a possible path to 296 electoral votes for Trump, which could see him reclaim the presidency with a narrow but significant margin. Trafalgar's polling, conducted from August 28 to August 30, reveals that Trump could sweep 44 electoral votes from the critical Blue Wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states have historically played a pivotal role in determining the outcome of presidential elections. According to the poll, Trump holds narrow leads in these states, with the results falling within the margin of error, suggesting that the race could still go either way. In Michigan, Trump is ahead by the slimmest of margins, with 47% of the vote compared to Harris's 46.6%. In Pennsylvania, Trump has a slightly larger lead, with 47% compared to Harris's 45%. Although a 2% lead is not a landslide, it would represent a more substantial victory than Trump's razor-thin 0.72% margin in the state in 2016. Wisconsin presents a middle ground, with Trump leading Harris 47% to 46%, a narrow margin that reflects the state's history of close elections. Trump won Wisconsin by just 0.77% in 2016 but lost it by 0.63% in 2020. Despite these encouraging numbers for Trump, it's important to note that the RealClearPolitics polling average currently shows Harris leading in all three of these states, with Michigan notably shifting in her favor on August 29. In addition to the Blue Wall states, Insider Advantage's polling from August 29 to August 31 shows Trump leading in four other key battlegrounds: Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia. In Arizona, Trump is ahead by 49% to 48% in the race for the state's 11 electoral votes, a narrower margin than Biden's 0.3% victory in 2020, which would trigger an automatic recount in the state. Trump's strong support among independents, where he leads by more than 12 points, is a significant factor in his lead. In Nevada, Trump is buoyed by a 9.5% lead among independents, giving him a slight edge over Harris, 48% to 47%, in a state he lost in both 2016 and 2020. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, Trump leads Harris 49% to 48%, a tighter margin than his 1.34% victory in the state in 2020. Despite Harris leading with independents in North Carolina, 50% to 46%, Trump could still secure the state's 16 electoral votes. Georgia, however, presents the only deviation from this trend, with Harris narrowly leading Trump 48% to 47.6% in the race for the state's 16 electoral votes. Harris holds a razor-thin lead among independents, 45.2% to 45.1%. While the polling data suggests that Trump could secure a significant victory in the Electoral College, the races in these battleground states remain extremely close, and the final outcome will depend on voter turnout and other factors in the coming months. Credit: NYP 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Tim Walz Compares Donald Trump to School Bullies, Criticizes ‘Politics of Fear’
Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential pick, took aim at Donald Trump, comparing the former president to school bullies and accusing him of running his campaign on "the politics of fear." Speaking to a crowd in Milwaukee on Labor Day, September 2, Walz drew on his own experience as a high school social studies teacher and football coach to highlight his perspective on Trump’s tactics. "Donald Trump has been running on the politics of fear," Walz said, emphasizing his firsthand knowledge of dealing with bullies during his years supervising the lunchroom. "Look, I know something about that; I supervised the lunchroom for a bunch of years." Walz continued, using his experience with students to underscore his point. "What I did know about that lunchroom too is the bullies who want to instill fear—they're the first ones to find out what happens when the tide turns," he added. Drawing a parallel between Trump’s approach and schoolyard bullies, Walz’s remarks reflect a broader critique of Trump’s fear-driven political style, positioning Harris and her campaign as advocates for a more hopeful and positive vision for America. Credit: The Independent 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Trump’s Relentless Campaign to Undermine Kamala Harris’ Momentum
As Election Day looms closer, Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to dismantle Kamala Harris' image as a transformative leader and undermine her credibility as a potential president. Despite his advisors urging him to focus on voter concerns such as inflation and immigration, Trump is doubling down on his combative, insult-driven approach that first catapulted him to power in 2016. Recently, Trump has used international tragedies to launch accusations against Harris, blaming her for the deaths of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and implying her involvement in hostage killings in Gaza. Alongside his running mate JD Vance, Trump has also attacked Harris’ multiracial heritage, suggesting it reveals a duplicitous character that accounts for her changing positions on energy and immigration. In a particularly offensive move, Trump amplified a sexually charged slander against her on social media, while his campaign ads accuse Harris of intending to cut Social Security benefits by allowing undocumented migrants into the country. Echoing past Republican strategies, Trump and his allies are portraying Harris as a dangerous extremist, branding her as a communist and even a “Bolshevik.” The barrage of attacks has extended to Harris' running mate, Tim Walz, with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem describing him as a “security risk” because of his past teaching stint in China. Trump, meanwhile, continues to stoke fears of a rigged election, hinting that the 2024 race might not be “free and fair,” and dismissing charges against him related to interfering in the 2020 election as baseless. As Trump ramps up his attacks, he is simultaneously grappling with his own political challenges. Desperate to narrow a significant polling gap among women, Trump has altered his stance on reproductive rights, even as his role in appointing a conservative Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade remains a contentious issue. Vance, too, has made missteps, including a demeaning comparison of Harris to a frazzled Miss Teen USA contestant, further alienating female voters. The critical question remains whether Trump’s attacks will succeed in galvanizing his base or if they might start to sway opinions against Harris in key battleground states. With his inability to capture more than 49% of the vote in pivotal states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin during past elections, Trump’s path to victory may hinge more on damaging Harris’ appeal among swing voters than on broadening his own support base. However, Trump’s tactics come with significant risks. His controversial behavior, such as posing for campaign photos at Arlington National Cemetery in a manner some perceived as disrespectful, could backfire and reinforce Harris’ narrative that America is ready to move past the chaos of the Trump era. Despite her gains in recent polls, Harris' campaign remains cautious, acknowledging the ongoing threat posed by Trump. As her campaign manager Jennifer O’Malley Dillion noted, “Make no mistake: the next 65 days will be very hard… This race will remain incredibly close.” Harris' recent campaign stops in Detroit and Pittsburgh emphasize her focus on union workers, a group that traditionally voted Democrat but has been increasingly swayed by Trump’s appeal to blue-collar voters. A crucial debate scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia could be one of the final turning points of the campaign, occurring just as mail-in voting begins. Trump’s relentless attacks have not yet succeeded in redefining Harris negatively in the eyes of the electorate. While Republicans criticize Harris for lacking policy clarity and changing her stances on fracking and immigration, her centrist positions appear to be frustrating Trump’s attempts to land a decisive blow. Harris has worked to counter Trump’s criticisms, such as rebuking his campaign stunt at Arlington and his efforts to hold her responsible for past military failures in Afghanistan. Credit: CNN 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Elon Musk Endorsement of 'High-Status Male' Governance Theory
Elon Musk, has once again stirred controversy by endorsing a theory that advocates for governance by "high-status males" while excluding women and "low T men" from decision-making roles. The theory, which appears to have originated on the internet forum 4chan in 2021, was reposted by Musk on X, drawing widespread criticism. The theory suggests that a truly free-thinking "Republic" could only be established if governed by "high [testosterone] alpha males" and "aneurotypical people"—a term that the post appears to use to describe individuals on the autism spectrum. According to the theory, these "high-status males" are the only individuals capable of objectively analyzing information and making decisions based on truth rather than consensus. The post further argues that individuals who cannot defend themselves physically, particularly women and men with low testosterone, rely on societal consensus to filter information as a safety mechanism. "People who can’t defend themselves physically (women and low T men) parse information through a consensus filter as a safety mechanism,” the post reads. “Only high T alpha males and aneurotypical people (hey autists!) are actually free to parse new information with an objective ‘is this true?’ filter,” it continues. “This is why a Republic of high-status males is best for decision making. Democratic, but a democracy only for those who are free to think.” Such theories, which promote a hierarchical and exclusionary form of governance based on perceived masculine traits, have been widely criticized for being sexist, unrealistic, and toxic. These ideas are often associated with alt-right communities that champion hegemonic masculinity and reject egalitarian principles. In response to the post, Musk commented, "Interesting observation," which has led to speculation about his stance on the matter. The post was originally uploaded to X by an account named "AutismCapital," which frequently posts content appealing to right-wing audiences and supportive of Musk's ventures. The account labeled the theory as "also known as the Reich effect," seemingly alluding to Robert Reich, a former US Secretary of Labor, who recently penned an op-ed in The Guardian criticizing Musk as "out of control" and in need of restraint. Much of the account's content on Sunday was focused on mocking Reich while defending Musk. It remains unclear whether Musk’s reposting of the theory indicates his agreement with its premise or if he was merely taking a jab at Reich. However, Musk’s history of engaging with controversial and often misleading information on his social media platform suggests that he may see such posts as part of a broader commitment to "free speech." Musk has frequently argued that allowing controversial, and sometimes offensive, posts is essential to maintaining free discourse on X, even when the content contains false or misleading information. This approach has not been without consequences. X was recently blocked in Brazil after Musk refused to comply with a legal order aimed at preventing the spread of fake news on the platform. This incident is part of an ongoing legal battle between Musk and Brazilian authorities over the platform's role in disseminating misinformation. Credit: The Independent 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Watch: Anti-American Sentiment Erupts in Violent Attack on US Servicemen in Turkey
Two US service members were violently attacked in Turkey on Monday by a group of anti-American protesters, an incident captured in a shocking video that has since gone viral. The brief yet intense 10-second clip, which was shared on X, shows one of the servicemen standing in the middle of a group of men who aggressively grab him by the arms and torso. Online sources identified the serviceman as being from the USS Wasp, a US Navy ship that had recently docked in Turkey's port city of Izmir. The USS Wasp had arrived in Izmir on Sunday for a scheduled port visit, during which sailors and Marines from the ship took part in tours organized by the ship’s administration, according to The Mirror. The ship, which carries over 3,000 crew members and troops from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, had recently participated in a joint training exercise with the Turkish Navy. The Wasp, an amphibious assault ship designed to carry aircraft and Marines into combat, has been stationed in the Mediterranean since June as part of a broader naval buildup aimed at deterring potential Iranian aggression against Israel following the assassination of a Hamas official in Tehran in July, as reported by Stars and Stripes. This incident is not the first time American service members have faced hostility in Turkey. In 2014, three US Navy sailors from the USS Ross were attacked by members of the Youth Union in Istanbul. The protesters chanted “Yankee, go home!” as they attempted to place bags over the sailors’ heads. The group later stated that their actions were a protest against American “imperialism” in the Middle East and across the globe. “Long live oppressed nation’s war against imperialism,” they declared in a statement on their website. Although the sailors were not physically harmed, the attack was widely condemned by both American and Turkish officials. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the attack as “in no way tolerable.” The use of bags by the protesters is symbolic, referring to a 2003 incident in which US forces in Iraq detained Turkish special forces soldiers they suspected of smuggling weapons to a Turkish-backed group in Kirkuk. The American troops allegedly placed bags over the heads of the detained Turkish soldiers before eventually releasing them. The latest attack underscores ongoing tensions between nationalist elements in Turkey and American military presence in the region, highlighting the deep-seated resentment some groups harbor against what they perceive as US imperialism. Credit: NYP 2024-09-04 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe
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