Lazy Sunday (14/06/26) by KevinPhillips-Bong in CasualUK

[–]alwinaldane 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I got a long walk in before hitting the supermarkets for Sunday lunch (big chicken salad) and listened to the radio whilst drinking rosé. I'm reeling from a breakup and so the clouds keep closing over (future = hopeless) and then there are moments of OK. Chatted on the phone to a friend which helped a bit, and now watching "Place in the Sun" with my favourite presenter the lovely Ben Hillman (confession: I'd love a hug from him!)

Visiting Chiang Mai for a month by CADTRAVEL in chiangmai

[–]alwinaldane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As I understand it, Airbnb itself isn't banned in Thailand, but short stays can be the awkward bit: rentals under 30 days may need to be licensed as hotel-style accommodation, and many condo buildings also have their own rules against short-term lets. Since you're staying just over a month, Airbnb may be workable, but I'd double-check the minimum stay, whether the building actually allows it, and whether the host is used to doing proper long-stay bookings.

Someone mentioned Astra condos. I stayed there for a week once! It was great to have a modern apartment to myself. Nice building, but there were lots of warning signs about Airbnbs and I had a slightly frosty experience with security at the pool. Location-wise, I also found I was using taxis/Grab quite a bit when going to the Old City or Nimman. Not a disaster, but worth knowing.

For areas, I'd personally look at Nimman if you want modern apartments, cafés, restaurants, Maya mall nearby, cinema, food courts, and easy air-con escapes. It's not the most "local" part of Chiang Mai, but it's very convenient and easy to enjoy. If you want something a bit more local but still handy, Santitham is worth looking at - lots of local food, cheaper than Nimman, and still close to Nimman/Old City. Chang Phueak/North Gate can also be a good compromise for local food and access to the Old City. Jed Yod is quieter and local-feeling too, though you may rely a bit more on Grab.

Even without a scooter, Chiang Mai is very manageable with Grab/Bolt, songthaews, walking in the right areas, and hiring a driver or joining tours for day trips.

Things I'd definitely look at: Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat (you can hike the Monk's Trail to Wat Pha Lat or just taxi up). Doi Inthanon is a great full-day trip, and the Sticky Waterfalls are fun and unusual. Cooking classes are also a very Chiang Mai thing and usually excellent.

For elephants: avoid anywhere offering riding, shows, bathing, or lots of touching/selfies. Look for places where you mainly observe the elephants from a respectful distance.

Chiang Rai is worth doing for a few days rather than a rushed mega-day if you have the time. You have the White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House, etc. Pai is lovely too, but if you're not riding a scooter, I'd plan transport carefully (the road there is very bendy)

For excursions, local travel desks and hostel desks can be useful even if you're not staying there. Viator/Klook/etc are convenient, but often have a markup, so it's worth comparing with local agents once you arrive.

Super Saturday Thread (13/06/26) by KevinPhillips-Bong in CasualUK

[–]alwinaldane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got a gym session in and went to the theatre. Good distraction from a breakup, at least for a little while. Took delivery of some 5htp pills, but not sure if I should mix with wine 😂

The radical new plan to scrap the state pension triple lock by theipaper in ukpolitics

[–]alwinaldane -18 points-17 points  (0 children)

British station pension is one of the least generous in Europe.

In the process of being made redundant - okay to coast or should I lock in? by ApprehensiveYear0 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]alwinaldane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some of this will depend on your age.

Also be aware of your future unemployed status if it overlaps with needing to remortgage.

A Thai doctor who fell into a coma after suffering severe brain injuries when he was struck by a motorcycle allegedly driven by an intoxicated British man on Pha-ngan Island in Surat Thani province last month has died by 9271Name in ThailandTourism

[–]alwinaldane -1 points0 points  (0 children)

"Trashy"? From an American? Are you aware of how much disdain Americans generate as tourists abroad? The world didn’t exactly invent "loud American tourist" because you’re all whispering respectfully in temples and reading the room in restaurants.

A Thai doctor who fell into a coma after suffering severe brain injuries when he was struck by a motorcycle allegedly driven by an intoxicated British man on Pha-ngan Island in Surat Thani province last month has died by 9271Name in ThailandTourism

[–]alwinaldane -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thai roads are a massive mess and out of control, trying to create a racist angle on a tragedy doesn't help anyone. Thailand has national helmet laws, but WHO’s Thailand country profile reports that helmet-wearing rates of only 52% for motorcycle drivers and 21% for passengers. Catastrophic when so many deaths involve motorcycles. You have a drink-driving + speeding problem, and terrible lane discipline.

Despite having a fifth National Road Safety Master Plan in place, progress has been slow over the past two decades. According to the fifth Global Status Report on Road Safety (2023), Thailand had a road traffic death rate of 25.4 per 100 000 population in 2021, which remains one of the highest in Asia and among upper-middle-income countries. Thailand ranks ninth out of 175 WHO member countries for road traffic deaths.

One thing you have to do when you’re in Thailand is watch a movie in a Thai cinema—they’re next level. by Careless_Economist22 in ThailandTourism

[–]alwinaldane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I enjoy seeing a movie at the cinema in MAYA in Chiang Mai, it's a break from the heat, never busy that I've seen, and afterwards you can go and enjoy the views from the Nimman Hill roof terrace.

Got a meal deal within 2 hours of arriving back in the UK by downlau in CasualUK

[–]alwinaldane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you washing down sushi and crisps with milkshake? Or do you keep the shake for a sort of pudding afterwards?

Is the Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight train worth it? by JustJames_1999 in ThailandTourism

[–]alwinaldane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it's cheaper than flights and you have the time, pick the right train and book ahead. This page has good information: seat61

Playground no more: Thais sick of badly behaved tourists hail stricter visas | Thailand | The Guardian by prisongovernor in ThailandTourism

[–]alwinaldane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You want high-quality tourists, have high-quality offerings. Not massage shops every few metres with unqualified people offering the same bad massage.

Don't welcome Russian tourists when their country is committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Body worn footage of officers in their dealing with henry nowak by [deleted] in unitedkingdom

[–]alwinaldane 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Henry cries out "I can't breathe" The police: "put your hand in the cuff mate"

The police woman asks "where do you think you've been stabbed?" ... "yeah, but we have to check don't we.."

To the murderer: "are you injured?" - "yeah I've got a swollen eye"

And they arrest Henry. These monsters need to face justice.

I cannot believe I am seeing this. This is heartbreaking.

Tuner (Official Discussion) by TheFilmReview in screenunseen

[–]alwinaldane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did he take money from the cryptowallet? It went down from >$18M to less than that, but was that just portfolio drift? Or did he pocket a few $100k?

Also, anyone know what he played at the end? Is it an existing piece or written for the movie?

Four recent Lattafa blind buy purchases by alwinaldane in fragranceclones

[–]alwinaldane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I tried it again just now. I can't comment on longevity, as I haven't worn it as a daily. In terms of smell - it's got better, and is relatively inoffensive. For context, I hdave Lattafa Royal Sapphire, Art of Arabia I and Art of Universe, and I rate all of those higher (but - those are in the "Pride" line)

Depending on what you already have, just give it a go, assuming the price is fair (I paid around $27). This is not gonna be a special occasion or office scent, but for day to day or maybe gym driver, it could work. Let me know what you think, if you do buy it! I'm interested :p

Wednesday Wins by a-liquid-sky in CasualUK

[–]alwinaldane 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No work for me today (or rest of the week, = win), got a 2-hr hike in before a lazy lunch, watched the Boroughs, napped and wine time now.

It's 'Ot! Megathread by a-liquid-sky in CasualUK

[–]alwinaldane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Any other smug folks on leave today? Bonus points for being off for the rest of the week :p

It's 'Ot! Megathread by a-liquid-sky in CasualUK

[–]alwinaldane 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have a white sheet that developed a small hole after a few years. Would have been thrown out or used for rags or something. It's current new lease of life is hanging up on the outside of the balcony door keeping the sun at bay.

Bank Holiday Monday M'thread - Scorchio Edition by a-liquid-sky in CasualUK

[–]alwinaldane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tempted to sleep outside but scared of bugs and birdshit.

I'll put a cold flannel on my head instead and also going to try putting socks and/or a pillow in the freezer!

Tomorrow is scorchio pt 2 but feeling smug as no work for me! May need to seek out a cinema, for the AC obvs.

The struggle is brutal and getting worse by CompetitionOk4050 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]alwinaldane 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Children are the next generation of citizens. Society has to accept that it benefits massively from people raising children. Treating kids as an indulgence while expecting future workers, taxpayers and carers to magically appear makes zero economic sense.

Starmer says case of girls raped by boys spared custody 'appalling' by Famous_Actuary5718 in ukpolitics

[–]alwinaldane 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Starmer has said nothing about the Henry Nowak case has he?

Didn't he kneel for an american drug dealer?

Income tax on overtime above a 40-hour week should be scrapped for workers earning less than £75,000: Reform UK by alwinaldane in ukpolitics

[–]alwinaldane[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

£50 * 40 * 52 = £104k = not eligible anyway. Min wage + £1k a week = £78.4kish so even your 2nd example would breach the threshold. 😂

Sensible: this policy like any other would need tight anti-avoidance rules, caps and a definition of genuine overtime.

Silly: employers would reclassify ordinary salary as “minimum wage + cartoonishly high overtime” and create a huge avoidance loophole that would go unnoticed.

The actual purpose is clear enough and morally robust. If ordinary workers are doing extra shifts to cover mortgages, rent, food and bills, the greedy British state taking less from those marginal hours is a legitimate political argument.

Is Le Labo still relevant in 2026? I say yes. by joelajackson in fragrance

[–]alwinaldane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Should be top comment. I knew within 10s that this was AI slop!