SteeleJoe

59 minutes ago, BayArea said:

Karma. something Thais understand and embrace very well. 

So how about all the other people who died untimely deaths? They all deserved it? 

8 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Sure, but more dangerous, as you see

There’s nothing in this thread that indicates inherent danger of that party. (Is it your understanding that people don’t disappear unless they go to that party? Because I’m pretty sure there are countless cases of disappeared people who never went…)

On 2/19/2025 at 10:29 PM, Harrisfan said:

Yes for 2 years not 4. The last 2 years are on Joe. The border chaos is on Joe. US inflation is worse than 13 other nations in g20 so Joe failed. No excuses anymore.

US inflation is worse than 13 other nations in g20? Please share your source, thanks.

On 2/20/2025 at 1:06 AM, kingstonkid said:

 

Yes but unless you register it and do all the paperwork, it is not a legal marriage in the eyes of the law.  No one checks to make sure you are not married legally.  

You are correct. That does not support your assumption of a registered marriage without any ceremony. 

The article says a "marriage" without a ceremony. That clearly suggests they got married (which is what it means legally when you register your marriage) but didn't have a wedding. There's no mention of anything resembling a wedding and explicitly said no ceremony. This is not uncommon in Thailand (nor is the opposite, as you pointed out). 

On 2/19/2025 at 8:19 PM, renaissanc said:

I don't think karma is a concept familiar to westerners generally. Certainly, Ian has no understanding of it because if he did he would know that bad things are going to happen to him as a result of swindling his (ex-)wife.  He should repay the money as best he can and apologize. 

That's an odd thing to assert. "Karma" is an extremely well known concept among westerners. It's extremely common for people - including by Christians or others who would normally be disinclined to embrace tenets of Hinduism/Buddhism. It's used very casually - and often incorrectly all the time.  

Personally, I've shifted on my view of the concept since my time as a Buddhist: the idea that people suffering a terrible life brought on themselves encourages people to blame victims and/or be less compassionate with them. And in particular, the idea that one is being punished for actions in a past life is truly obscene: a child is born with a major disability brought it on themself despite having no control over whatever they supposedly did in some past existence?

In any case, it's silly to act is if people always get what they deserve. It's simply not true.

On 2/19/2025 at 7:16 PM, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I guess that everyday you wake up as a racist

Racist? Perhaps you're joking...

14 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Going back to 1962, when I first arrived, rules regarding foreigners in Thailand were always enforced.

Going back to 1982,when I first arrived, that was not at all the case.

On 2/18/2025 at 10:19 AM, Harrisfan said:

What if they lose it?

You got a new one I suppose. I, and everyone I knew, did it countless times without a passport going astray (that I ever heard of).

13 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

So much for free speech and the US' First Amendment rights.

 

Seems like March 1933 in Germany is being repeated in present day USA.

 

Let us see what the Pro Trump MAGA supporters will be saying 6-12 months from now.

I've found that it's more often those of the rightish/Trumpian variety that make this mistake but it's surprisingly common: the notion that the 1st Amendment means you get to say anything you want anywhere you want at any time is just silly. Such a right does not exist and if you think about if for a moment it's easy to see how true that is and how it couldn't be any other way.

The 1st Amendment prevents - in many but not all circumstances - the government from prohibiting your free speech or punishing you for it. That's it. It doesn't, for example, mean you get to say whatever you want at work and face no repercussions.

I probably agree with that teacher in almost every way, but he was unprofessional and in violation of a reasonable policy that he is obligated to conform to if he takes a paycheck.

8 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

I wouldn't want to be immediately behind you at the Immigration counter. Probably miss my flight.🙃🙃

He'll almost certainly be pulled aside pretty quickly,

42 minutes ago, jippytum said:

You have done your homework and i hope you manage to exit as planned. It must have been stressful  avoiding immigration for so long perhaps  however not as stressfull as reporting and jumping through immigration directives from a rural location. Good luck

This the post I was referring to above. (Haven't used this site in a long time and screwed it up)

I personally know of a case much longer than yours. I don't want to add to your anxiety but given how long its been, a lack of records might mess you up and anything that doesn't go routinely opens up the possibility that the normal process doesn't take place.  Be prepared for the possibility of being detained until you have got it sorted out.

Two and half hours, 90 views and no one has an opinion?

Bummer.

Hypothetically speaking, if someone was travelling to Bali tomorrow and had with them an external hard drive with downloaded movies and such (no porn), is there any chance of a problem with Indonesian customs?

I ask for a friend, of course.

My usual disclaimer (it seems the only questions I ever ask on TVF are always kind of stupid): sorry for the foolish question and I truly appreciate anyone who could take a moment to give me a quick reply.

Shame that your response is so defensive in the first place, frankly. And a little telling, too. And, maybe if you didn't fire off defensive anger before someone finished editing their comment, you wouldn't have to be so upset if they edit their comment

You know why your defensive statements are so illogical? It's staring you in the face. The answer is: With all the people you surely know of, after your 'professional research', which ARE involved with child prositution in Pattaya, why on earth would the authorities and these kids waste their time trying to frame an innocent man? There's no real pedophile there, to accuse instead? Is that your logic? Hmmm. Interesting theories you have. Or possibly, just really defensive and paranoid. Take your pick.

1) I have never suggested that an innocent man was framed.

2) The reason why guilty parties avoid consequences are the same reason why someone, guilty to one degree or another or not at all, might be entrapped and or set-up: corruption (ie money to be made by authorities).

3) I've put forth no theories - about the lack of "real pedophiles" or otherwise. What are you on about?

4) I reply to a comment as I see it. I made the assumption that you would stand by your comments, as I do.

5) Get a thesaurus. Or a real argument. "Defensive" never made sense the first time. It's not making any more sense just by repeating it.

Oh right - I just remembered this time when a 13 and 14 year old from Soi Cowboy got my name and address, after my never having been there with them in the first place, and then they and a whole group of corrupt Thais all came to ruin my life for no reason except how evil they all are. How could that have slipped my mind?

On the not two threads I've looked at today, I see you applying this absurdly illogical reasoning: 'if it hasn't happened to me (after 5 years) it has never happened to anyone'. And 'Farangs must be at fault because Thais are never bad to me.'

I have zero opinion about this case but leaving aside the ridiculousness of the hypothetical in your straw man above, I can assure you that I've seen Farangs do all sorts of evil and/or stupid things and bring trouble on themselves and I've also seen all sorts of evil done to relatively innocent (albeit generally naive, at best) Farangs by Thais. Mind you, I've been here about 5 times longer than you but it didn't take me 5 years to have seen that the is both a dark and light side to Thailand.

Oh, and your comment about Pattaya residents is about as clever as your comment (on another thread) about Thais being unlikely perpetrators of violence: not at all.

I'll bet you're first in line to shame others about their visa status though, right? As always, I will never let some old man on the internet tell me what reality is. I can see it for myself. And btw, it's not that 'all Thais are good to me' - it's that most people are. Underage prostitutes don't have a data base of random strangers. And 99.999% of people are NOT plotting to convict people of child molestation at random. I'm sorry it's that a jolt to your world view. Is it on any level 'possible' that there could be a conspiracy to accuse a wonderful, upstanding husband and father of something horrible just for the sake of doing so? Maybe. And a meteor may hit the planet tomorrow.

And yet....your point is that these 2 children, as well as the authorities, all just picked this man completely at radom, in a massive conspiracy to ruin his life as a fine and upstanding husband and father. That's just how 'evil' Thai people can be, huh? Sounds like the most rational conclusion, yes.

And yet ANOTHER version of your post?

None of the above has anything in any way to do with what I've posted - as can be seen by anyone who can read. You should be embarrassed.

Oh right - I just remembered this time when a 13 and 14 year old from Soi Cowboy got my name and address, after my never having been there with them in the first place, and then they and a whole group of corrupt Thais all came to ruin my life for no reason except how evil they all are. How could that have slipped my mind?

On the not two threads I've looked at today, I see you applying this absurdly illogical reasoning: 'if it hasn't happened to me (after 5 years) it has never happened to anyone'. And 'Farangs must be at fault because Thais are never bad to me.'

I have zero opinion about this case but leaving aside the ridiculousness of the hypothetical in your straw man above, I can assure you that I've seen Farangs do all sorts of evil and/or stupid things and bring trouble on themselves and I've also seen all sorts of evil done to relatively innocent (albeit generally naive, at best) Farangs by Thais. Mind you, I've been here about 5 times longer than you but it didn't take me 5 years to have seen that the is both a dark and light side to Thailand.

Oh, and your comment about Pattaya residents is about as clever as your comment (on another thread) about Thais being unlikely perpetrators of violence: not at all.

Excuses, excuses, huh? I'll bet you're first in line to shame others about their visa status though, as a true 'legitimate old timer', right? As always, I will never let some old man on the internet tell me what reality is. I can see it for myself.

And yet....of course, 2 children and the authorities just picked a man at random, and he's a fine an upstanding citizen. And I am to believe that, because you've lived in Thailand for 25 years, and are defensive about the world's biggest sex tourism city. Sounds rational to me - I stand corrected.

You changed your post again so here's another reply...

Your straw man is pointless and rather pathetic. I have clearly stated I have no opinion about this case and I certainly in no way stated or implied anything close to the absurdity you've imagined.

Are you to believe that? Apparently. Is there any cause to? None. Having written on and/or professionally researched the Thai sex industry (for other authors/scholars) quite a bit, I have neither the motivation nor the interest in being "defensive" about it. Your inference that living in Thailand for a long time suggests that one must be in favor of the sex industry - well, not only is that ignorant and insulting but it reflects poorly on you in more ways than one.

Shame you aren't able to actually debate instead of make ridiculous assumptions and ad hominem attacks. But if one posts on this forum, one will always have to read a few like you before finding those who can post something worthwhile.

Oh right - I just remembered this time when a 13 and 14 year old from Soi Cowboy got my name and address, after my never having been there with them in the first place, and then they and a whole group of corrupt Thais all came to ruin my life for no reason except how evil they all are. How could that have slipped my mind?

On the not two threads I've looked at today, I see you applying this absurdly illogical reasoning: 'if it hasn't happened to me (after 5 years) it has never happened to anyone'. And 'Farangs must be at fault because Thais are never bad to me.'

I have zero opinion about this case but leaving aside the ridiculousness of the hypothetical in your straw man above, I can assure you that I've seen Farangs do all sorts of evil and/or stupid things and bring trouble on themselves and I've also seen all sorts of evil done to relatively innocent (albeit generally naive, at best) Farangs by Thais. Mind you, I've been here about 5 times longer than you but it didn't take me 5 years to have seen that the is both a dark and light side to Thailand.

Oh, and your comment about Pattaya residents is about as clever as your comment (on another thread) about Thais being unlikely perpetrators of violence: not at all.

Excuses, excuses, huh? I'll bet you're first in line to shame others about their visa status though, as a true 'legitimate old timer', right? As always, I will never let some old man on the internet tell me what reality is. I can see it for myself.

Excuse? For what?

Why would I care about anyone's visa? In fact, there are posts on this forum where I've criticized others for that very thing you describe. That was a remarkably odd and stupid assumption to make.

What can you see for yourself?

I see you changed your comment but I'm 51. So what?

Oh right - I just remembered this time when a 13 and 14 year old from Soi Cowboy got my name and address, after my never having been there with them in the first place, and then they and a whole group of corrupt Thais all came to ruin my life for no reason except how evil they all are. How could that have slipped my mind?

On the not two threads I've looked at today, I see you applying this absurdly illogical reasoning: 'if it hasn't happened to me (after 5 years) it has never happened to anyone'. And 'Farangs must be at fault because Thais are never bad to me.'

I have zero opinion about this case but leaving aside the ridiculousness of the hypothetical in your straw man above, I can assure you that I've seen Farangs do all sorts of evil and/or stupid things and bring trouble on themselves and I've also seen all sorts of evil done to relatively innocent (albeit generally naive, at best) Farangs by Thais. Mind you, I've been here about 5 times longer than you but it didn't take me 5 years to have seen that the is both a dark and light side to Thailand.

Oh, and your comment about Pattaya residents is about as clever as your comment (on another thread) about Thais being unlikely perpetrators of violence: not at all.

People who don't understand what significance, if any, the suspects being in Udon had, need to know that he lived and worked on Rama II road, in Thon Buri - whe he'd lived since before the murder - until shortly after being initially questioned by the police.

As for the suicide attempts. People under stress may include those with mental/emotional problems or substance abuse histories. Innocent people can attempt suicide when arrested or accused of a wrongdoing.

A case in point was in 1996 an American Navy Admiral accused of wearing combat decorations that he was not entitled to wear. He was so distressed and humiliated that he took his own life. An investigation later revealed that he was entitled to wear the decorations. The reporter that broke the story, without thoroughly checking the facts, bears some degree of responsibility for the results of his poor journalism.

Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda was NOT entitled to wear the "v" on those decorations. It was however, considered by many knowledgable folks as a minor and forgivable oversight and his suicide was seen as an odd reaction - as in virtually any case of suicide, surely there had to be underlying issues.

You perhaps need to "thoroughly check out the facts".

Most grateful to anyone who might be able to help ASAP (Id really rather not be taking someone to the transport office tomorrow): If an initial one year license is expired, how much time has the driver got to go for the 5 year license? Is it still the case that he/she has one full year in which to do it without having to do all the driving and/or written test again?

Many thanks in advance for posters kind enough to respond to such a boring question with some urgency...