Watch Out! #expatlife

Bank Employee Steals Cash

It's easy to feel complacent. You have more money. No worries. Things are fine. You have some lazy days running errands while everyone is at work. But, be careful.

This happens. The level of professionalism is different. Not better or worse, just different.

Expect everything to happen and pay attention to the small details. Your life here will be much easier.

Is it Worth Chasing? #expatlife

I chased it most of my adult life and this chase even brought me to Thailand and the life I now lead. I cannot say I regret the writing or the choices, but there was no glory.

Is Literary Glory Worth Chasing?

Most Interesting Interview Ever Recorded #expatlife

I found this article today about bugs in space.

ISS

First learned about the idea of bacteria and organisms in outer space and some of the reasons for them from James Horak. Originally, I learned of James through the Kevin Smith podcast out of Thailand. Kevin is not with us anymore, but James sure is...

This is the link to the 4 part series of the most fascinating, enlightening and engaging interview ever recorded:

A Refined Cosmology to Address Cosmic Anomaly

Enjoy.

                     

                   

Ganja Money Battles Rage #expatlife

As the legalization of ganja draws near the different groups fight for little slices of the ganja pie.

Update: Law Clears Thai Cabinet

This will continue for the next year or so as the winners and losers align.

Article in the Nation newspaper.

Sadly, this process may go down the usual road and end up another heavily regulated, controlled and unprofitable crop for most aka rice, corn, cassava, and so on...

But, at least it will be legal and available and Thais can begin unraveling their social taboos. In the end it will be a positive step socially as people question their old belief systems and allow new ideas to seep in.

Great article to get you up to speed.

Facebook Dating #expatlife

Facebook plans to roll out a dating app in Asia only for now. Thais love Facebook.

Facebook Dating

I am sure it will be a huge success as FB has about 46 million registered users in LOS.

FB is part of day to day life. They do not really use it to chat or make calls- even for business (Line is for that), but rather as a photo and commenting source, usually about family.

Dating and family are intimately connected here so a connection might be inevitable.

Thailand Scores Low in English Proficiency... #expatlife

EF EPI English Proficiency Index

It's out for 2018 and Thailand's rank is even lower this year. Interesting also is the difference between Bangkok and Isaan is quite small.

Quote from page 4: "Societies that speak English are more open, less hierarchical..."

A catch-22 as the hierarchical nature of Thai society is one of the reasons English proficiency is so low. Apply the hierarchical mindset to education and you do not get stellar results.

Of course, the English language, in the report, coincides with many trends: quality of life, jobs, innovation, economy, etc...

European countries are steadily moving in chunks to the higher proficiency bands while our Thailand is moving down.

Singapore, PI and Malaysia remain at the top.

Finally, an age gap has emerged: all Asian groups over 20 years old posted declines.

Growing up a Little? #expat #expatlife #isaan

Is Thailand growing up a little? I think so. And this is great news. 

This article published:

App to Assist Small Shops

Yes, it probably will not work and so on. I know. But, what's important about this is admitting why the 7-11 is so popular and the mom and pop shops are not. They aren't clean, convenient or organized.

And the article acknowledges the major obstacle: middlemen.

The middleman, the intermediary agent between rich and poor is killing the small farmer, the small shop, etc...The middle group owns the tractors, the trucks, the sacks, the fertilizer, the tools, distribution, even sometimes the labor (why it is so hard to hire labor here because people have learned their crucial role and the community spirit has evaporated in some cases).

The middle protects its fiefdom and prevents development. 

Now consider this below. Another cultural myth or taboo shattered. Doctors are not Gods.

I fought with my partner and destroyed much of our relationship over this issue because she could not understand why or what I worried about. But, now the powerful voice from above is letting out some truth and wisdom. Too late for me, but the next generation has a chance.

BANGKOK, 29th OCTOBER 2018 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has instructed all hospitals under it to prescribe medications appropriately, and lower antibiotics use by 20%, by 2021. 

A few weeks back I was discussing vaccines with a Thai medical doctor who is also the director of a school. I was worried about discussing this with him, but felt obligated as a few people had been asking me about flu vaccines.

Much to my surprise the doctor completely agreed with me that vaccines are not as trustworthy as people tend to think (without thinking) in part because the companies manufacturing them are concerned primarily with profit.

Isaan Podcast Coming soon.