OneMoreFarang

When I came to Bangkok I also thought I will never drive or ride a bike here. Then I used motorcycle taxis for about 3 years and got used to how things work, all the shortcuts, all the unexpected things which are after a while expected, etc. And then I started with my first bike in Bangkok. Now, more than 20 years later, I am still riding. And yes, I understand your concerns.

That is obviously very sad for you. I will make sure to each a couple of more pralines there next time I visit thinking about all the people who live up country. 😉

I don't know anybody who thought of possible consequences from an accident. Obviously we all knew it was possible. And many of us had friends who died on bikes. But that was part of life - it only happened to few people. I think life should be exiting. Otherwise, what's the point?

There is a Belgian chocolate place near Sukhumvit Soi 31. Wonderful!

Wherever it comes from. I like these things and I saw them only very few times in Bangkok. I think there is a lot of food which we consider to be "home food", but in reality, it originates in other countries.

The politically correct answer is Dickmann's. But they used to have another name...

In case you have no or little experience with riding bikes: Most accidents can be avoided. Many accidents happen when riders overestimate their abilities or the abilities of the bike they ride. When people learn to ride and learn to race then they learn the limitations of the bikes and their own limitations. Having learned those (at least a little) will help tremendously not to make stupid beginner mistakes like: sure, I can do that. I made some of those mistakes when I was young. Luckily the worst I had was a couple of abrasions and a little blood, nothing serious. And I learned from my mistakes. I would have loved to go to a (racing) riding school and learn how to ride properly. I am sure I wouldn't have tried some stunts if I would have learned what to do and not do in such a school. And about riding yourself and riding on the back of a bike: Basically every rider hates to ride on the back with anybody else. It feels much more dangerous and obviously there is nothing you can do when you are on the back of a bike. And the rider possibly wants to show off - with you on the back. So all in all I stay with my argument of having my own bike and learned how to ride. But obviously that is only my personal opinion.

Sure. And what will you do if he is 5min away from your home and then he uses a bike in any way? When I was young, I didn't do too many crazy things. But if my father told me I can't do that, that was definitely no reason not to do it. I have no kids. And if I would have kids, I obviously wouldn't want that they have any motorcycle or any other accidents. I would send them to motorcycle schools. And then to racing schools - if they want that. Then they learn how to ride and if they want to race, they can do that on a closed circuit which is built with security in mind.

Yes. But to be fair, some Japanese and even American companies have also some good battery powered tools. Almost as good as Bosch. 😉

"high-speed motorcycle crash" Did someone push the Wave or how did it reach high speed?

Who started this one depend on which date you set? I don't know the details about Jordan. But look at Gaza. Some people look at the 7th of October and say: Look at those Hamas terrorists, now Israel has to defend themselves and retaliate. Other people look at the years since Israel occupied the land where the Palestinians used to live more and more. Palestinians are thrown out of their homes in Jerusalem so that Israelis can more in. And all those settlers. All that happens since many many years. So, did Hamas start that attack out of the blue? Or did they fight back against what Israel did to them since decades. I don't want to pretend one side is all good and the other all bad. Many on both sides don't want to compromise. And many on both sides can point at the others and say: They killed my family. Getting back to above: If there would be no US soldiers in that area, then nobody could kill them. I understand when people fight intruders in their country.

Sure, the USA only has their soldiers all over the world to protect piece and all those peaceful people. They do it because they have such a great heart and want to bring democracy to the rest of the world - American style. Winning hearts and minds and all that. Correct?

I never used a hedge trimmer. But over the last years I bought many battery powered Bosch power tools including a big Bosch Hammer (the kind which allows to drill big holes in concrete), angle grinder, circular saw. They are all very powerful and the battery lasts long enough that it is not annoying that I have to charge it all the time. I can't imagine I would still buy any tools without battery. Only good experience.

Really? How many of them? I think being young is a time to have fun, get experience, make mistake, and learn. Having sense is a possibility, but it sounds very boring.

America 'nuff said

And, will that convince any young person not to ride a bike? No. Riding a bike is fun. Especially together with friends. And we all die. Some of us sooner, others later. That's life.

Because I use my printer only seldom, I bought a laser printer for that reason. There is no problem if you don't use a laser printer for a few months or even longer. But be aware that toner doesn't last forever. I once worked in an office where they had a big central later printer and everybody had a personal laser printer on their desk. One woman basically never used her personal laser printer. After years, the toner just faded away. When she printed it was never black because the toner was not black anymore. As far as I know that takes years. But it happens. For all printers are the consumable materials the expensive part - not the initial cost.

How about the many million Thai people who voted for them...

What is a 17 year old teenager doing at 3.15am on the streets? In general, I think motorcycle accidents, especially with teenagers and young adults happen all over the world all the time. I was also young some time ago and I rode a bike and obviously I thought I am invincible. I am pretty sure that is what most young riders think. And they see friends die. It happens. And maybe for one day they ride a little slower, and then it's back to normal. That's life. And I am sure there is not much anybody can do about it.

And it seems you think that he has an agenda. Does this make you right? I read many articles from him since he worked for Salon. I don't like everything he says or writes. But I know he is at least 100 times better informed than I am. Whatever he talks about, it includes lots of facts and sources and he explains why he thinks what he thinks. All in all, I don't know any other journalist who I trust like him. That doesn't mean he is always right. But I am pretty sure he does his best to tell the truth. And as far as I am concerned, we can't expect more than that. Edward Snowden trusted Glenn Greenwald. And Glenn Greenwald exposed the US surveillance and protected Snowden. Not many journalists are courageous like that.

I hope there will some follow up news on this. It seems lots of Thai females grab knifes to win arguments. I always wondered how that will play out when someone gets hurt, and the police arrives. Will the husband be prosecuted for injuring her with the knife? Will she be prosecuted for taking a knife and threatening him with that? Possibly he would never have injured her if she wouldn't have grabbed that knife. (yes, I know that is just a speculation) I think from a "western" perspective only few people would grab a knife in an argument if they don't try to defend their life. In Thailand there seems to be almost no barrier from a few words to grabbing the next available knife.

I think that is the correct question. It's not: What is he? or Who is he? It's about perception. What does one person, and that person alone, see in that other person? And I think sometimes that is difficult to understand, also for ourselves. I.e. we have two female security guards in our building. Both petite, about the same age. Both not really beautiful or ugly. I very much like one of them. I would try to chat her up right away if I wouldn't be in a happy long term relationship. The other one leaves me cold. I wouldn't be interested even if she would be really interested in me. Why? I don't really know. Sure, I could list a couple of differences, but it would be like: She has such a winning smile. Or she is just cute. But if I would tell that to someone else, he would possibly ask: Which one? So, it's back to smell or that special feeling or whatever. Sometimes it just is, and it is difficult to describe. And, IMHO, we should listen to that special feeling and we shouldn't try to find reason in what we like.

And if you are so sure nothing can happen, what's your point of this post? If it is a work laptop from your ex-employer, then you should give it back to them.

And they have to ask the daughter of the criminal about that. Amazing Thailand.