jaapfries

Laser Dinghy, now called "Kirby-Torch" are the most brilliant little sailing craft ever conceived (by Bruce Kirby) and I have owned a few of them, over the years; sailed them in Holland, Canada, New Zealand and Thailand.

One of the Posters here was wondering "why" someone would want to undertake such a grueling endeavor; - and I believe the answer is "because its there to be undertaken". Why did Sir Edmund Hillary climb the famed Mt. Everest ? ? ? he said "because it was there" ! - Same principle applies here.

Yassine: in my book you are a hero and admire & applaud your big success ! ! ! ! ! !

A Sailer with much less guts !

Hi All,

Through the years, a number of disgusting cases have occurred in Thailand and after a while and a lot of "hot air", these cases just seem to fade-away, which is absurd. I would like to compose a list of these events and then see if somehow some action might be instigated to get (some of) these cases resolved. To start off this list:

1. Nong Air; 12 year old Karen girl burned & scalded - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1zp024ZM04

2. Red-Bull Heir kills policeman - http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/03/world/asia/thailand-redbull/

3. Mercedes Bus-Stop Killer - <Link to Bangkok Post removed>

Please feel free to add cases to this list; I know there are may more, but my memory ain't what it used to be either.

You never know; we may just get some justice, where there appears to be none at this stage.

Thanks,

J.F.

What a dreadful story. I hope she/they get the help they need. My missus says she often feels similar especially when I 'performance fart' in front of her pals or in the garden where the neighbours can see.

Other than displaying your obvious gravely low societal-level; what was your Post supposed to contribute to this very sad story ? ? ?

Well; at least they're observing the Curfew hours: I believe they'll 'pull through' ! ! ! !

Great reporting and with special congrats' to Sansiri & Moon Shadow and their crews ! ! !

Like in most European countries, a "Tourist" in Thailand is permitted to function on his native Driver's License for a period of 6 (six) months, from the date of arrival in Thailand.

Please realize that IF you exceed that 6 month period, from midnight on-wards, on the last day, and IF you're still driving on the 'home-license', you will NOT be covered by whatever Insurance you believe you're covered by.

That this could be an extremely expensive oversight, probably does not need explaining.

Check it out; this is the law in Thailand.

Good Post: reminded me of this:

. . . . . . . I am no longer young and I have learned much, - gathered it brick-by-brick along the way and trimmed each brick and cemented it into the wall. – The fortress of my manhood is not yet completed, but what I have built so far is strong.

Yet the purpose of a fortress is to protect and hold safely those things that are precious. - If during the building a man loses and expends those things which he wishes to protect, then the finished fortress is a mockery.

I have not lost it all; - a little I have used in barter – I have traded a little faith for the knowledge of evil; - exchanged a little laughter for the understanding of death; - a little freedom for a son (and this was a good trade) – but I know there’s still something left . . . . . . . . . .

From Wilbur Smith

The Sound Of Thunder (Page 56)

Pretty much sums-up my sentiments on the subject.

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you dont know a lot about Thailand or its culture do you, Most respectable Thai women would not be seen dead with a foreigner.

Despite the posts above, I'm inclined to agree with this post. Sure, there are notable exceptions but they're Few and far between.

I believe, as a 'general rule-of-thumb', that it all depends on the 2 individuals involved.

Ajarn Chalermchai may have spent many years completing this creation, but when he says things like "I don't accept any "outside hands" to help rebuild" etc., he comes across as a somewhat egocentric individual. The problem with this disaster is clearly that this entire temple was not constructed properly; I'll just bet you anything that this chap "did not want any interference of Structural Engineers" when he designed this building - and prior to the construction. I feel that his "ego" and "pride" got in the way of "common sense" and the results are crystal clear. By the look on his face, it may just be that, in retrospect, he recognizes that he SHOULD have stepped back somewhat in the beginning, in order to get the integrity (of what he was building) right . . . . . . .

Nevertheless; I feel sorry for the man.

SF

The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is. Winston Churchill

I sympathize with your frustrations, but there are a few things you should know:

1. The lawful Statute of Limitations, in this matter, is probably 3 months; hence your g/f is acting way too late

2. It is illegal to record a conversation without the express approval of the third party

And, like a number of posters already stated;we're not talking about a huge sum of money; although I agree that it is the principle of the matter. However; you can also be sure that this perpetrator has just added some serious bad karma to his destiny - and even though this may not make you feel better, it probably will.

Chalk it up to experience and, as we say in good old Holland "keep the honor on your side"

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This pattern by the elites to deny the thai people the elected government has been going on for years.

They didn't care about the poor or the country people and still believe that they are above the disenfranchised people of Thailand.

Say what you want about the thaksin government but he raised the plight of the poor while the smug elitie sat on their hands and done nothing.

The problem is now for the yellow dems is that they have aligned themselves with sutep who's only agenda is to get something he cannot archive via the people and that's power.

The people of Thailand have seen their elected government thawted to many times now to have any respect for the courts as decision after decision goes against the government elected by the people.

The elections should go ahead on July 20 and once again the people will decide and it will be a PTP win.

The yellow dems should then do some soul searching reinvent themselves and gain the respect of the entire country not just their precious elite.

It is amazing that it takes a "Stuttering Parrot" to hit the nail squarly on the head . . . . . . . .

The ONLY reason that the PTP (Thaksin) is getting re-elected, time-after-time, is that they:

1) Pay Isaan-folk to vote for them

2) They are 'seen' by these people (the vast majority in Thailand) to actually "care' about them by putting into place a few 'populist policies'.

This is all blatantly obvious; so - as the Parrot so rightly puts it "The yellow dems should then do some soul searching reinvent themselves and gain the respect of the entire country not just their precious elite.

This is no rocket-science and I find it hard to believe that the Dems' haven't worked this out for themselves as yet ? ? ? ?

The Democrats should start "building bridges": literally and figuratively - and NOW ! ! ! ! !

Hey CAPO:

You state: "The center added that the anti-government demonstrators have done some great damage to the nation."

How about we talk about the HUGE damage done to thi country by the "democratically ellected Government" ? ? ? ? ?

Unbelievable . . . . .

What this country needs is an individual who ACTUALLY cares for its People, its Economy - and to properly organize its Political Infrastructure; such as re-organizing Army (and its role in a true democracy ! !); the Police-Force and its entire Civil Survantry, including the Revenue Department ! ! ! - Root-Out All Corruption & se-up a proper & fair Tax-System. Then; after that forst week (L.O.L.) pay some serious attention to the Education-System and during the weekend following, address the Legal System in this country, which is long-overdue for a complete re-vamp, especially in terms of clear & concise 'language' ! ! Then, after a fortnight, Thailand can only prosper and everybody will be happy "Land of Smiles" will be back . . . . . . .

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I hope the BMW driver pays compensation to the grocery store.

Grinned over your comment: - in awe about your Churchill - Quote:

" The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is. Winston Churchill"

Absolutely brilliant !

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A true viking.

More like "A Moron of Epic Proportions !"

A 'real' Viking (descendant)

Yep; I recently went through exactly the same experience at this very place; super professional and nothing but compliments: it was just like 'being in a different world" !

Actually; it spawned a thought: what if 'consumers like us' started a "Good & Services Pattaya List", where people would, after experiencing a particular Purchase and/or Service, would then go to a web-site and 'grade' their level of satisfaction. If executed properly this would be a great tool for people to get some advance information on whatever they're about to embark upon ?

Along the lines of Trip-Adviser, where people can spot a series of stars behind the Vendor's name and instantly either discount or go-forward.

Just a thought.

PS: Unfortunately: this list would be a very short one . . . . . .

I lived in that beautiful country for 10 years (after 13 years in Canada - I am a Dutch National) and I thoroughly enjoyed it, until my marriage broke down. Then I wasn't to sure what I was doing there.

In any event; this is a very parochial country and the Ozzies reckon:

"New Zealand is a country where th Men are Men, the Women are Women and the sheep are bloody nervous . . . . . ."

Having said this; NZ is a GREAT place to visit and/or spent a working holiday.

This is indeed a most spectacular dwelling; the way the architect 'played' with the combination of "stone", "timber" & "water" most certainly has the desired effect. Stunning; just too bad it's built in Bangkok: a creation like this deserves about a 4 Rai plot, on the high-ground with sweeping views towards valley, or even better: an ocean . . . . .

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

JK

I only married at the Amphur Office.

No ceremony, no sin sot, no aggravation.

Don't understand why so many foreign men get roped into a village wedding ceremony.

It has no benefit to them, just wastes a lot of their money.

You do understand the village wedding is legally meaningless.

@Fifty-Two: You display a total lack of perception and/or understanding of Thai culture, when it comes to the "Village Wedding" phenomena. You should stop looking at this through purely Western Eyes and give some consideration to what Thais prefer.

The 'Village Wedding' may not have any "legal" significance; however it is far more important to the Thai' family (of the bride) than the Amphur legal registration.

To NOT have this Village Wedding (including the very early morning 9 Buddha Monks Blessings !), you will make the entire family of the bride lose face big time, something that would be a blot on the relationship forever !

I have been living/working in this wondrous Kingdom for a bit over 22 years; had the "Village Wedding", as you phrase it and I can honestly say that this was the most magnificent day of my life.

Spraying water during Songkrahn is very much like bringing sand to the beach ! ! ! ! ! !

Makes you wonder if those City-Hall chaps have nothing more important to worry about, like:

1. Sidewalks un-approachable

2. Rubbish everywhere

3. Traffic/Advertising signs at 'fore-head levels' abound

4. Bike-Rental Mafia occupying Public Parking areas

5. Jet-Ski Mafia problems

. . . . . and I can go on for another hour or so ! ! ! !

He "punctured" Two (2) testicles with One (1) bullet . . . . . . . almost sounds like something out of a Louis L'Amour novel ! ! ! !

Apart from anything else; this guy was an excellent shot ! !

R.I.P. to this guy.