AlexRich

I had a small canvas backpack that I used to sling over my back when walking in Pattaya, including Walking Street. I noticed a tear in my backpack that looked as if it was made by a box cutter. I recall being stuck in the crowd whilst walking in this street, so I wasn't able to move as quickly as I normally do. Nothing was taken, so it was a failed attempt. It was quite a few years ago so I suspect this type of activity has been going on for many years. If you are walking in crowds best keep your bag in your hand and in front of you. Lesson learned.

Best not to take any action off a phone call, especially if the caller is trying to rush you into doing something. Just go into your Bank or phone them on a number you find on the card or website, preferably using a different telephone from the one you used to take the call. This situation is only going to get worse, so we all have to be hyper vigilant.

The problem with the Pattaya Songkran is that it goes on too long and it attracts the worse kind of foreigners who try to knock people off of their scooters, and other bad behaviour disguised as "fun".

The time it took to respond beggared belief. The IDF would have known about the attack before any of them left Gaza.

Move on, nothing to see here? I don't think so. The 7 October attacks are what led to the current situation in the Middle East, and need to be investigated thoroughly. Like 9/11, there was a lot going on that day that simply didn't make sense. You can get an Apache helicopter up in the air in 5 minutes, the slow response to the attack by the IDF requires investigation.

When leaders lose their grip on power they sometimes engineer a war to stay in power. To this day the 7th October attack disturbs me, as Israel has one of the best intelligence/surveillance operations in the world. I still can’t get my head around how this happened? When this war ends Netanyahu will lose power, and his legal woes could land him in jail. An attack on a Quds force General in Syria was always going to elicit a response from Iran, albeit a telegraphed and slow moving attack that Israel dealt with fairly easily. Clearly Iran don’t want direct confrontation, as they are not quite there when it comes to obtaining a nuclear weapon. But they are close. I would not be surprised to see an Israeli attack on Iran in response. Netanyahu can’t afford peace.

I wouldn't go to Thailand without a decent income/pension and a back up plan if anything happens that would lead me back home. You can live relatively cheaply if you want, but it's wise to have a cushion for unforeseen events.

For the most part, real. Bear in mind we are generalising, so there are plenty of villains in Thailand, like any other country.

Natural friendliness.

The point is that the pollution in Chiang Mai is likely to reduce a persons life expectancy, and increase the risk of cancer. I love Chiang Mai, it is a great place, but you can't stay there year after year and expect to remain healthy.

Dude looks like a lady?

The Artful Dodger escapes London, only to reemerge in Thailand. Thieving little bar steward.

Yeah? Anything with a “trans” prefix.

He is merely projecting his own desires onto others.

Russian drink driver. He’s described as a Russian driver? Yes, a shot of vodka.

I can’t help thinking that relaxing the weed laws will have dire consequences down the road.

Scots men don't wear skirts, they occasionally wear a ceremonial "Kilt", particularly at weddings or at Scotland football matches. No one wears one every day unless their job is a bagpipe player or they are involved in tourism. In any case, it is a battle uniform, not an expression of femininity. The only Scots men wearing dresses or skirts are transexuals. And you'll find them in every country.

No way. Given my exceptional beauty as a female I'd get tired being constantly hit on by Thai men, Toms and sleezy foreigners.

Read "One Day in the Life ... etc" at school. A grim read indeed.

Interesting dilemma. the first thing that struck me was the fact that you have cleared all of your wife's debts, hopefully it wasn't too much? A nice gesture but I'd be careful not to do that in the future because it soon stops being a nice gesture and starts being what is expected of you. I fear you might have reached the "expected" stage when you are now being asked to clear the mother's debts. I think you need to make it very clear to your wife that you won't be clearing anyone else's debts going forward, including hers. Then watch to see what reaction you get over the next few months. If there is no understanding there then you may well have married someone who only wants you for money, and cares little for the relationship. In which case, sorry to say, you need to start planning your exit.

It just means that he is streaming a live video, so the "kick" is misleading.

These idiots arrive in South East Asia and think, because people are generally respectful, that they are "soft touches" who they can intimidate. This fool is going to find himself on the wrong end of an angry mob who don't know when to stop. Let's hope he has purchased quality health insurance. I really hate the way that social media has incentivised offensive behaviour.

I'd rather not take any risks in the first place. Using PrEP feels like playing Russian Roulette with your health.

Thailand is no place for someone with poor health, unless they are surrounded by family who can help them. Most 63 year olds are reasonably fit and healthy, he was very young to die. RIP Mr Harold John Milligan.

Sounds suspicious to me, and a bit far fetched. Who benefits? Sadly, if there is foul play the Thai Police won't pursue it.