Up2u

"Think" vs "reality", perhaps another poll just for retirees. I know my original "thinking", spread sheet calculations were far short of reality.

The Yensabai Condo news is ancient history. The intimidating dragon lady is there only during the day. The night time staff still enforces the guest policy of leaving Thai Id with security (like the Tarntawan and others). Trust me, there is a well traveled path between Sunee Plaza and the Yensabai.

Retired. Can do it for 65k which is the expectation from Immigration Department to qualify for your retirement extension (provided you have no bf or live for bars and boys). There are variables which must be considered, owning vs renting, buying a car, health insurance, etc. I choose "other".

Thai TV this morning is now reporting 22 dead and 123 injured.

Update: http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/explosion-rocks-bangkok-commercial-hub-casualties-seen-afp

Explosion near shrine in busy shopping area of Bangkok, at least 15 killed: Reports BANGKOK - A powerful bomb exploded during rush hour right outside the famed Erawan Shrine next to the Grand Hyatt hotel in downtown Bangkok on Monday, killing at least 15 people in the most severe single incident of this kind to hit Bangkok in recent memory. http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/explosion-rocks-bangkok-commercial-hub-casualties-seen-afp

It is the Erawan shrine (twitter posts).

The adjacent Avalon (in front of VT5C) I believe is just a tad cheaper.

The Rabbit is clearly a notch above the rest (in price too).

Before I retired, it was two trips a year on average of 3 weeks each visit.

OP, you are being told what these bar boys want you to believe, after all they are businessmen. Back in America I remember having to defend my personal tastes for Asian men to my friends. They thought I was nuts. Same-same here, the Thai gay scene is huge, something we as foreigners seldom witness and Thai-foreign relationships (and sex) is a small minority. The nice thing is we can kickback relax and let the Thais do the "fishing".

Gloating accomplishes nothing. I'm an American, I have Brits, Aussies, and Europeans as friends and I wish their currencies perform just as well as the dollar. The continued weakening of baht will be a benefit to the Thai economy.

Will you be alive in another 30 years and your frame of mind is of one suffering from dementia?

End of martial law not a cause for celebration. http://www.voanews.com/content/end-to-martial-law-in-thailand-not-seen-as-cause-/2702285.html

General Prayuth is now the Prime Minister by order of the King and now there is no martial law so although I am no lawyer it looks like you are off the hook and everything should be ok.

The future is pure speculation. The tour operators are happy as people can get travel insurance with the martial law restriction removed.

Depends where you go. I have made the mistake and gone to Phuket in the rainy season (twice), never again. In Pattaya, very few beach days are "rainouts", perhaps an occasional shower but in 30 minutes all is well

I find using the MRT at the Lumpini station (2 minutes from the Pinnacle) easier than using the BTS at Sala Daeng. I used to stay at the Swiss Lodge but using the BTS during the dinner hour was a hassle. Escalators to street level or lifts to 2nd level at Sala Daeng.

Yes, it is the elder price!

The Pinnacle is just a short walk to the MRT and just 9 baht to Sala Daeng and where the action is.

I first came to Thailand last century. I like many of us I fell in love with the culture and people of this country. I felt safe, I walked to the bars wearing a big gold chain, no drugs, no gangs, no tattoos...... the good old days. Naive yes. Everything changed quickly and of course the newly elected and popular Thaksin announces an end to drugs in 90 days. The police were given arrest quotas and financial rewards for meeting them. The drug policy was popular across all elements of Thai society and endorsed by the King. Looking back we have learned the number of police killings was grossly overstated as the military junta of 2006 investigated Thaksin and did not charge him but greater than the 50 Thaksin claimed. I am not defending Thaksin,a terrible solution to a problem that still exists.

Go to cruisingforsex.com for action in public places.

Are you saying the House of Lords, an unelected body, has the power to impeach and remove an elected Prime Minister? This is will be the power of the new Thailand Senate.

Firecat, what is the article source?

It is the President who conducts foreign policy and Andy Borowitz has the perfect solution. http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/iran-offers-to-mediate-talks-between-republicans-and-obama