ebcal

The OP brings up a good point. Too often we dont think about what will happen to us in our old age when we are unable to think clearly and fully take care of ourselves. Especially as we experience cognitive decline, or worse dementia or alzheimers, we can be tricked, scammed or make poor decisions and not know it.

So, it behooves us to try and have people around us we can trust and can help us. For those with families, it is usually their spouse or children, or relatives that can be trusted on to care for them. For those without family, one surely better find some trust worthy friends and even make arrangements. But, that may not always be easy to know who you can really trust. If not trustworthy, you can bet many a caretaker, casual "friend" will try to rip you off and take your money. And if you are in declining cognitive state, you will be an easy target. Believe me. Those wild email and phone scams that seem unrealistic that any could be so stupid to fall for are common for a reason. There are those that fall for it and often it is seniors. And it is ignorant to think that you could never be one of those falling for it, as you get older and your cognitive abilities decline, we must realize our own vulnerability and limitations.

So, it is smart of the OP to think about these things well in advance, while you still have some years to take action, make connections and relationships, and make a plan.

"What would your plans be if you reach a good age?"

I think we need to think about just what is a "good age".

I once asked my doctor how many years it would add to my life if tried to lead a "healthier life" no smoking, no drinking healthy diet and more exercise?

He asked me how many extra years of wearing a diaper I really wanted.

Just what is a good age if the quality of life sucks?

Told my doctor I'd given up smoking, drinking, late nights and 4 times a week casual sexual encounters.

I asked him how much longer I would live because of all my good resolutions.

He asked me why I would want to live longer ?

I guess you haven't actually seen people die of lung cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, untreated high blood pressure and HIV? Not to mention alcoholic dementia. I'm very much surprised a doctor would say such a thing. None of those are quick or pleasant ways to go. You're incapacitated and your care is expensive at the end.

Hi NancyL,

Not always easy to tell when people are joking or being sarcastic, but I would venture that the person was quoting a joke, not advice from a real doctor.

But, this is a valid discussion about quality of life versus quantity. A valid question about going to extremes to extend the quantity of our years, but is it worth it in sacrificing a lot of quality and enjoyment in those years. Everyone obviously has to answer the question for themselves.

Some go to the extremes of one or the other, but most probably try to find a balance somewhere in between where we try to lead a somewhat partial healthy lifestyle, yet dont give up some of our pleasures that improve the quality of our lives, whatever that may be, e.g. eating our favorite foods. And maybe a rare few might be able to merge the 2 sides and have both.

This just underscores the basic theme that you cant trust that things are safe in countries like Thailand, compared to many other countries that have more safety regulations and discipline to enforce or check things.

We all take a lot of safety for granted in our everyday lives, From riding an amusement park ride, to a zip line, to stepping on some covering on the sidewalk and not thinking twice that someone was smart enough to make sure it was secure and could support and hold, to taking a shower with the electric water heater wired and grounded properly, same for swimming pool lights, to walking across a green light and assuming cars are stopping on the red. Ride a bus and assume the tires or brakes are checked, or that the driver have enough sleep. Or some sign or object you are walking under wont fall. The list just goes on and on.

We make assumptions everyday that you just should not do in Thailand, where they dont pay attention to regulations, or even more cases of cutting corners to save money. Yes, happens everywhere, but more often in some countries. When in countries like Thailand, you really need to take your own safety into your own hands more. Now, granted, one cant watch for everything, but it behooves you to at least keep it in mind and try to do more than your normally might.

Not only for 3rd party, I get this request every time I buy a ticket online for myself. And they always ask to see the CC used to buy the ticket online, when I check in. This is also stated on the airline website. As others have stated, standard requirements with some airlines. So, good to check the PA's website, as it should be stated there.

How does he know for sure that you know where your gf's sister is? Did you tell him you know, but you wont tell him? Or does he only presume you would know, but does not know for sure and you are not a good liar? If you dont think you can convincingly say you really dont know where she is, why dont you give some false information, like last you knew, she was in such and such city, (givng a totally wrong place) but that you dont know if she stayed there or moved on, and after that you dont know where she is, as you have not heard from her.. And tell him you try to stay out of this business and dont want to talk to sister-in-law or him, as it is not your business.

See some other bad advice here. If you love your GF, stay with her and dont abandon her when things get a little rough. If you dont love her or care about her, then different discussion and you should be asking yourself why you are with her anyway. And to assume this guy wont do anything may indeed turn out to be true, but why take the chance. Stay on guard, and be ready to protect yourself and gf and dont assume he wont do anything. Minimize any contact with him. Try to have your GF's family solve this.

Tragic. In this particular case, do not know if it was due to improper fitting and securing, or equipment that was not up to par, or just a equipment failure that could not have been known or avoided. If it is one of the first 2, then assume there should be a stiff penalty and I think that the reminder that taking more responsibility for your safety applies in Thailand.

In these types of cases, maybe there could be a severe punishment, often not, but you usually dont hear much about corrective actions to insure this does not happen again. We hear about bus crashes every week, yet nothing is done to solve the root cause. Usually, it is only about punishing after the fact.

For those that come from other countries that have higher standards and regulations, we take safety for granted in many ways. And the problem arises when we do this and go to other countries.

If you think about it, we make unconscious actions every day where we place our lives in someone else's hands by assuming there is some level of safety and some level of common sense from others. For example:

1. If we walk down the street and walk on a covered hole, manhole, metal grating, metal or wooden board. We assume that someone made sure that is secure and would not collapse, if we walk on it.

2. If we buy an electrical product, or use a electrical water heater or use a pool at a hotel, we assume that the product or building is up to electrical standards and we should not get electrocuted.

3. If we buy food, we assume it is safe to eat.

4. If we stay at a hotel, we assume people are not stupid enough to use toxic pesticides on the sheets to kill bedbugs, but might also be fatal to humans.

5. If we cross a street on a green, many assume other cars will stop on a red

6. If we ride on a bus, we assume the bus has some regular maintenance and checks, and is not running on bald tires with no brakes, and the driver has some idea of responsibility so is not reckless or got enough sleep and was not out all night partying.

7. And the list goes on and on..........................

So, we all do it every day, most without thinking. And if you live in more "safe" countries, then the risks of these are lower , but when we travel to other countries that have different culture of safety, this risk rises dramatically. The problem is when you have a culture that has insufficient safety regulations, and no monitoring even if there are regulations. And of course, all countries suffer from a culture of greed where saving money is pitted against safety. And if you dont have good monitoring and regulations, the greed will win in terms of driving actions and behavior. Yes, the offenders should be punished, but unless you enact better regulations and monitoring that they are followed, then you are not fixing the root cause and these will continue. So, knowing the risks are greater in these countries, we should give safety more thought.

Of course, it is impossible to eliminate these risks completely. We have to put our safety in other's hands and there is no getting around this completely. e.g. we have to eat, have to take some mode of transportation. But, we can keep safety more in our thoughts than in the safer countries. We can choose where we buy from, or the mode of transportation, that may better the odds. We can walk across the street defensively and not assume anyone will stop. We can avoid walking on a wooden board covered hole, as not to trust someone else's work to fix the hold. We can make a choice that it is better not to do extreme sports in a country like Thailand. If we do choose, then at least we know there is more risk and made a conscious decision to take the higher risk.

And I am not saying we should live life so paranoid that we cannot enjoy ourselves in these other countries. But, we should just remember that we should take a little more control of our own safety by giving safety more thought and not taking all the risks that we might otherwise. Be safe out there.

Or of course, there is the other line of thought that we all got to go sometime, and when our time is up, it is up, so just do your thing, and if S--T happens, it happens, and I aint gonna worry about every little danger, otherwise I would be paralyzed. So, to each their own.

Is Visa On Arrival something that will work for you? If so, you can go online at some places like vietnamvisacorp.com and get the necessary papwerwork quite easily. Just fill out the online information and charge to your CC. They do have urgent (8hr) and super urgent (4hr) turn around times for a higher fee. Only need to provide your passport #. They will mail you back the visa on arrival paperwork, which you then can get a visa quite easily at the airport.

But, if you are coming in via land route, rather than major airport that can support VOA, or have another reason why you cant use VOA, then maybe not a choice for you.

Good to remind people of this. And I would extend this to all of your personal safety. Having grown up in other environments, sometimes we forget that we take for granted many aspects of our safety. And this can lead to dangerous risks in places like Thailand that dont have as many safety regulations, or at least not followed.

Just think about all you take for granted. When you are walking on the street and walk over a some hole that may be covered, most may walk on the covering and assume it is secure and will not collapse. But, one is taking some level of assumption on this. Or if you use a shower water heater, one is assuming that the person installing it knew the electrical guidelines and installed and grounded it safely, but in Thailand you cant take this for granted. Or you swim in a pool and assume the pool lighting is safe. Or if you buy food somewhere, you usually assume it is safe from chemicals, or some acceptable level of hygiene, (which one can clearly see does not exist when street vendors wash dishes in dirty water on the street) or when you are driving and make assumptions that someone stopped is smart enough to see you coming, so will not step out, pull out right in front of you, again you are making an assumption on the intelligence of the other driver or pedestrian. When you are watching fireworks, you assume people would be smart enough to be aiming them upwards and not shooting them sideways at people, again an assumption that is often not true. Or if you stay in a hotel, you assume some level of safety in terms of fire safety, and evacuation means, but one should probably check things out to make sure of escape routes.

And you can go on and on about some safety that we just assume or take for granted, and you just should not assume these same things in other countries. Now of course, it is impossible to do something about many of these things and one would not be able to function at all and would be paralyzed by paranoia if you worried about everything, but at least being more aware of some of these things is a start. So, good that people realize they have to take a greater responsibility for their own personal safety in Thailand and other countries, likely much more so in the country they came from. More just a mindshift change to be a little more conscious and careful about your safety and take a few more precautions than you might likely do in your own country.

What was the bus doing on the right lane ??

Where in hells name have you been? They nearly always travel in the outside lane or haven't you noticed.

Just a question , it was

Don't know if they are even allowed in the right lane except from overtaking or going to a u-turn

Assuming there are even such laws in Thailand for that, which I dont think there are, most lousy Thai drivers would not follow the traffic laws anyway.

There are probably laws against driving on the wrong side of the road, but people do it to pass and overtake other drivers all the time in Thailand. So, if you are questioning why someone did not follow the traffic rules, then you must not have driven or seen traffic in Thailand much.

"What if your salary is not worth your work and not enough to pay for your monthly expenses? Would you be okay with that?"

No. I would find another job I'm qualified to do that pays a higher wage. However, if you are only qualified to drive a taxi and can't find anything better, then you are required to follow the rules. The passenger decides where the destination is. The fare is determined by the honest use of the meter. You are supposed to act respectively towards your passenger...Unless the passenger is being unruly...And "unruly" doesn't mean he wants to go to a destination that is inconvenient for you. If you don't like these requirements for the job, then stop complaining and train to develop a skill which will land you a better job...Or...Do something to convince the powers that be to increase the fares across the board and not have every taxi driver making up his own rules and regulations, and then be upset when passengers are confused and make complaints about being treated unfairly. If you have to return the taxi to the owner at a certain time, then don't stop to pick up any passengers and get the taxi back on time.

Think you try to make it sound simple and easy, when reality is not that simple. Take your last statement where you say "If you have to return the taxi to the owner at a certain time, then dont stop to pick up any passengers and get the taxi back on time. Uh, You dont know how much time is needed for a passenger, until you stop and find out their destination. So, are you saying dont stop for any passenger in the last 1-2 hours because you have to return the taxi? They still have time for some destinations, but not ones that will take a long time.

If fares are not sufficient to make money when you are sitting in traffic, then they should have the right to complain that fares should be raised and or not want to go there, or ask for a higher fare, which many would reject and complain about. I would do the same. And it is too easy to say go convince the powers that be to increase fares or go find another line of work, but much harder to do.

Not disagreeing with some of these points you make, but it is much too easy to say those things when you are not the one facing those realities. It aint as simple and easy, black and white, as you try to pass it off to be.

Think you better read the first article again. Think there are several possible violations, if the items are indeed true.

1. First article states there is video footage of these 2 entering the museum AND snatching the items. Second article states video footage of them entering, but checking if they stole it, so no mention if there is video of them doing the actual snatching.

2. They have falsified the shipping documents, labeling them toys, which is also a crime.

3. Not a crime,but very suspicious, is that they say they bought it at a night market, but conveniently said they cant remember where. If one bought those kinds of things, cant imagine that someone would forget where they bought it. Sounds VERY suspicious to try and say you forgot, when you dont want to say where you really got it. And just by coincindence, on top of this, they happened to visit the museum jbefore, where these were stolen. Again, not a crime, but something that really raises eyebrows and starts to add up. And if #1 is true and there is video of them snatching it, then this becomes perjury, and then is a real crime and additional charge.

ROFLMAO Idiots for cops I would have held pending valid proof of purchase. Now these guys will get away with theft, transportation of body parts, without proper doc's Falsifying Shipping paperwork. And that just Federal level then you got Nevada laws to deal with No import permit. These guys are in Deep chit. But wave a few baht under a cops nose and wham bam your out of here. Explain that one flat foot.

"And that just Federal level then you got Nevada laws to deal with No import permit. These guys are in Deep chit. But wave a few baht under a cops nose and wham bam your out of here."

What does (imagined) US Federal law or the law in Nevada have to do with anything the police in Thailand do. The parts were, rightly or wrongly, considered medical display items and it wasn't until the hospital said the parts had been stolen that there was any justification found to arrest them.

As disgusting as it may be, most colleges and museums (and circus sideshows) have pickled bodied parts or stillborn infants on display.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigators are now trying to determine whether any laws were broken ...

The FBI is looking to see if any laws were broken, but you've already got ahead of them with a string of US federal and state violations, even though the parcels apparently never got anywhere near the US.

Not defending the two idiots or that anyone would find body parts something entertaining to look at, but being stupid or ghoulish is not against the law and there's no evidence the body parts were originally obtained illegally.

If they were stolen from the hospital and these two bought stolen goods and attempted to (most likely) violate export laws, that may or may not warrant them being arrested, but can you imagine all the hyperbolic comments here at TV if these two were jailed while the police tried to find a reason to charge them and they would most likely have been eligible to be bailed out anyway?

Idiots they may be, but this doesn't qualify as some major international incident nor is there any reason (aside from your highly excitable imagination) to believe they bribed anyone when they had not been charged with anything.

"Social Security benefits are calculated on the amount you paid in for the last 20 years before you turn 65. You'll lose all SS if you don't work in the US."

1) Correction to the statement above that one person made. SS benefits in the USA are not calculated on the amount paid in the last 20 years before 65 , they are calculated on averaged indexed monthly earnings of the 35 years you earned the most. Not that this changes the picture much, but just to make sure you have the correct information. Always check the government website for the latest and verifiably correct information.

2) Also, to the poster who told you dont let your balls rule your brain. While true, the statement assumes your relationship is about sex and not love. So, maybe speaks something about that poster's view on relationships. If you do truly love this girl, and she loves you, and the relationship is really strong, then making the tough choices to make sure your future is better, is also in her best interests, if you intend to stay together. If the relationship is strong and you both are committed, then you should both be ok with making the best choice for the future, even if it means some hardship in the shorter term. And it would seem like a move back to the USA would be a better financial alternative. Good Luck

3) And while yes, there may be many others in the same boat as you, but that does not make your situation any better. Yes, misery loves company, but really, how much of a consolation can it be when you have no food, to know others are starving too somewhere in the world. And one should try not to rely on the government solely in their retirement plan. As has been in the news, SS is now in territory where incoming funding is less than outgoing SS benefit payments. ANd if a depression hits, the funding will drop even more, so at some point, there are likely to be changes in SS. e.g. increase the age limit again from 67 to something higher and/or reducing the SS benefits. These have to be done to keep SS afloat, so one needs to be prepared for this in retirement planning, as well as planning for inflation.

You are at the age where it is critical, as time is running out, to take advantage of longer term compounding, but may be able to still make it, if you hurry and do it right. Good Luck

Nobody on here can give you the best advice on how to invest that money without a lot more information on your situation. (And even then, you shouldnt listen to most financial advice on a board like this) But, at least with more information, you can start to get some advice that is more tailored to your specific situation.

You need to give the background, what is the goal in investing this money, your financial situation, expenses, age, family/dependents, your situation / feelings on risk, diversification, inflation, interest rates, timeframe, taxes, etc.

Is this the only source of income you have and need to live off of, or is this just extra money that you want to generate some extra income, How much risk can you afford to take with this money? Do you want to protect against inflation? Do you want to diversify? Do you have dependents to support? Do you need liquidity or can you afford to tie this money up and for how long? And many other questions that give more insight to make sure the investment advice fits your situation.

Regarding your comment about building another transit hotel and unlikely you cant have too much of a good thing. While at the moment, one may think that cant have too much of a good thing applies, but I would caution against placing all my eggs in one basket. And personally, I would feel a bit uncomfortable doing so.

So, having all transit hotels, or especially all ones centered around one airport is even a greater risk. Yes, it may look good now, but you never know what events might transpire regarding tourism to Phuket or even Thailand, or an airport move, You can look at Don Muang and there were probably many hotels went under or saw business plummet after the main airport moved.

So, while the model may be successful now, there is risk putting all your eggs into one basket, and something to be said for diversification, in type of investment, location of investments, etc. Just my 2 cents.

I was thinking about scanning/photocopying the front and back of my credit card. This is what many hotels do so it might be enough. But I'd prefer if the airline in question didn't have this policy on credit card ID. I won't be using Thai Airways or British Airways (I've been credit card checked on both of those before). It will likely be one (or a combination) of KLM, Air France, and China Airlines.

It is my understanding that it is airline dependent, so no one answer works for all airlines. And there are some that can and will refuse the passenger to board.

I often fly EVA airlines and they always ask for the CC that booked the ticket. I am always the one who purchases the ticket, so have not dealt with the issue, however, EVA does have a special form they require you to fill out, if you are purchasing the ticket for someone else and will not be traveling with the passenger.

I Googled this and saw discussion below from one poster. Of course, not everything on the internet is the truth, so take it for what it is worth.

First of all, it doesn't matter where you're flying from. What really matter is what airline you are flying with, so the short answer is: it depends.

Some airlines, in an attempt to fight frauds, may ask you to show the card and if you fail to do so they CAN refuse to embark you.

I once flew Royal Jordanian from Milano Malpensa to Amman and I was asked to show the credit card. Since I paid that flight with my father credit card, I didn't have it with me. They refused to embark me and I had to call home and make my father fax a self-certfication signed by him along with a copy of the credit card used to book the flight.

Another time I was leaving from Amsterdam to Atlanta flying Delta and I was asked the same. That time I had my credit card with me and I pass the control flawlessly.

Always read the conditions very carefully. It's always stated somewhere if they may ask you to show the card or not. If unsure, write an email or call them.

Here some examples:

Singapore airlines [click on "What happens if I don't comply with the credit card verification requirements?"]

Emirates

If the booker does not bring his or her card used for the booking at check-in for verification, then passengers on the booking will not be allowed to check in and will be asked to purchase a new ticket using a new credit/debit card. However, the ticket price will remain the same. A refund will then be manually processed for the earlier purchased ticket.

Delta [click on the credit card link]

On the Enter billing information page where the credit card details are entered, if the "Cardholder name" can be typed in, you would be able to pay for the booking even if you are not travelling. If the "Cardholder name" appears in a drop-down menu and cannot be changed, you would unfortunately not be able to pay for the booking unless you are travelling.

In some countries, for security reasons, the holder of the credit card used to book a ticket or group of tickets must be one of the travellers on that itinerary, and will be required to show the actual credit card at the airport check-in counter prior to receiving boarding passes.

Skywards members may make a redemption booking for friends and family, and pay for the applicable taxes online with their own credit cards, if the country of departure offers credit card payment.

Business Rewards administrators may also pay for their organizations members bookings by credit card, if the country of departure offers credit card payment.

Air France

To safeguard against credit/debit card fraud, the purchaser may have to show us the credit/debit card along with a valid photo ID. The time varies based on the billing address of the credit/debit card or the country of travel. If the purchaser is not traveling, they can show us their credit/debit card and ID at an airport ticket counter or another ticket office location, whichever is most convenient.

British Airways

If you have booked directly with British Airways, either through ba.com or a British Airways Telephone Sales office, and you paid with your debit/ credit card you must present that debit/ credit card at check-in. This is to assist the check-in process and to provide debit/ credit card verification.

I would try the food option first. And try different foods, if one does not work. If all efforts fail there, then I would consider pepper spray. One bad experience with getting sprayed and they should remember that. It may take several times spraying as well, and possibly having to spray multiple different dogs to change the whole pack behavior. I would not resort to trying to kill them, as I find that rather distasteful, unless you are really in a life or death situation. jmho.

You see a wide range of feedback. There is some truth in all.

You can go around and never have a problem and think it is pretty safe. Yet, you can also run into some dangerous situations and realize things may not be as safe as they seem, or even be dangerous, where you may not have any chance of realization left. All have some truth in them.

To illustrate one point though, you could think about going to a place that gives you a 60% chance of getting mugged, which of course is pretty bad. But, if 1,000 people go, there will be 400 people telling you it was very safe and they had no problem. Of course, that % statistic is made up, but you get the drift.

The bottom line is it is safer to travel with someone, especially for a young woman. Tourists are easy targets in every country, which is why you see dangers in every country, as it then brings out the scum of scammers and also worse those who could do bodily harm. Being a single female tourist, realize you do stick out as a target and going alone increases the risk, which is important to note. How much, one cant say, but think nobody can argue that the risk does not go up, traveling alone, and being a 19 yr old female, who may be a target for males with bad intentions, besides scammers, so increase the # in the group of potential attackers/scammers. And 19 yr olds may not be quite as savvy, smart about the world and many still may be a bit naive, and dont mean that as an insult to the OP, but only fact that one has less world and people experience at a younger age.

No matter who you are, important to always keep your wits about you and use common sense, which there are many stories about people who didnt use basic common sense, e.g. getting drunk with relative strangers, or going together with some new "friends" even sober, walking alone at night, or taking taxi alone at night, etc.

And one should not only be careful about spiked drinks, but even getting drunk or tipsy can lead to dangerous situations. And even without drinking, making new "friends" can be risky. Of course, you will find those that met great friends and had no problems, but there are also those that found so called friends that turned out otherwise, often leading to tragic stories. You see these sad stories regularly in headlines in Thai Visa, if you have read TV and other Thailand news for awhile.

So, being smart and keeping your wits about you can help shift the odds back the other way a lot. Only you can decide if the risk is then acceptable for you or not. But, one worries about the naivete of 19 year olds, eager to see and experience the world, meet new people, whether they fully understand the risks.

e.g. like in the movie "Taken" .

To summarize, I think you should consider most of what everyone has said and realize there are risks. ANd the risks become greater traveling alone and being a female. You can push the risks back some by being smart, but there is still a greater risk traveling alone, and being female. But, study up and make sure you fully understand the risks and study some of the scams and dangers to be on the look out for, which most 19 yr olds dont do, but hopefully you can be different than most.

You will probably be ok if you are careful and study up and still decide to go alone, but my advice would probably still be to go with a friend and not to do alone. But, maybe I am more risk averse due to having read too many sad stories on Thai Visa.

All those Apps work the same in terms of payment/free structure, including Skype. That is, if you're using Skype, Line, etc on your smartphone to call, and the receiver has a smartphone with Skype, Line, etc. running, then you can call mobile to mobile using skype, Line, Viber, and other Apps mention essentially for free. I say essentially because it can also then depend on your data plan and data usage. with your mobile carrier, to determine if it is truly free.

However, I think they all charge if you are using those Apps to call a landline or a mobile direct without the receiving end using the same app. e.g. Skype, Line have a small charge to call another mobile phone that is not using Skype, Line on the receiving end, or to call landlines.

So, best bet if you are calling a mobile #, is to ask the receiving end to use one of those apps. I think the app has to be running for them to receive the call though. And if not, or you want to call a landline, then you have to pay a charge. One option if you have to go the pay route, and if you call a lot, is that some may offer calling plans to certain countries for a flat rate.

Sorry am going to have to agree with the original thought, that Udon expats are the bottom of the barrel. I have been through there many times, and each time that concept is reinforced.. Was in a small bar beer the last time , at the Day and Night bar beer center. There was a farang passed out stone cold in the corner of the bar. A pleasant Thai woman was there with her 1 year old child. When I asked her who the passed out guy was, she said it was her husband.....

Side note: Have also been to Ranong many times, do not recall seeing any Japanese expats in large numbers. Regarding respect for Japanese men, do some research on the comfort women and Unit 731 in China, and tell me if you feel the same way about Japanese men.

Wait, have you confused Ranong and Rayong ? That is a bit of a newcomer mistake.....

So someone should have no respect for Japanese men today because of what the country did in WWII? Should we not respect all American men because of USA's past atrocities of slavery and also what was done to the Native Americans?

Certainly Japan's history of imperialism leading up to WWII was very brutal and shameful. And certainly the country, men and women, should do more to admit their past mistakes and show respect to those countries they committed such horrendous acts against, but to extend this to say one should not respect any men from Japan today is just wrong thinking and a slippery slope. One can find atrocities performed in almost every country, so if we applied the same logic, we should not respect anybody.

Regardless of what a country and government may have done, best to not make broad brush strokes (either way) and judge each individual on their own merit.

When Japan acknowledges their atrocities concerning the comfort women , and makes restitution to them, I will then consider it a closed chapter in Japanese history. They have not done this......

Regarding slavery, that certainly was a dark moment in American history. And a long long time ago.

And for your edification, it was was Africans capturing West Africans, and the trading was done by

European traders... You are not from any of these countries are you ??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade

"The Atlantic slave traders, ordered by trade volume, were: the Portuguese, the British, theFrench, the Spanish, the Dutch Empire, and the United States. They had established outposts on the African coast where they purchased slaves from local African tribal leaders."

On a side note, the atrocities visited upon China by the Japanese are not forgotten. Traveling in

China, on CCTV I saw constant programs about the role on Japan in WW2. For some light reading,

read The rape of Nanking, for a look into the character of Japanese soldiers......

So, until the Japanese government makes restitution, you will not respect anyone from Japan? That is a broad brush stroke to paint. Do you feel the same about Japanese Women, or do they get a pass because most of the atrocities were done at the hands of men, even if women supported the men?

And do you use this logic to not respect all citizens of other countries who have committed atrocities, but have not made restitution. So, for the countries that participated in slavery, do you hold the same view? There have been and are still some movements to seek restitution from America and European countries that participated in the slave trading, so it is surely not forgotten either. Or does this logic not apply because it was a long long time ago, and there a time limit where it no longer applies if enough time has passed?

I certainly agree with you that Japan needs to fully recognize its past and own up to it, apologize, and make restitution. And I would add, they should also fully teach the history of their atrocities accurately in schools, so they continue to learn and be aware of past mistakes to better prevent the same mistakes in the future. But, I dont agree that every man (not sure what you feel about the women) should not be accorded respect because of their government's position. How do you know if that person agrees with their government or not?

I am fully aware that the atrocities are not forgotten. It is in the news still today, whenever the Japanese PM, now Abe, visits the Yasukuni shrine to pay respects to the war dead, it incites China and South Korea and causes an uproar. Yes, the lack of acknowledgement, ownership, lack of remorse and insensitivity by the Japanese government is deplorable.

I am fully aware of the horrors that were committed by the Japanese. The horrific acts committed during WWII were inhumane and unfathomable that people could be that barbaric, evil and insensitive without any sense of morality or compassion. I own the book "The Rape of Nanking", even got it signed by the author, Iris Chang, whom I met when I attended a reading she gave on that book. May she RIP ,since she has passed on.

I also have seen exhibits and documentaries explaining and showing the horrific photos from the war. Photos showing the Japanese army using live people for bayonet practice, and the medical units that performed unspeakable experiments on Chinese. And taking Chinese and South Korean women and forcing them to be used as "comfort" women. I have talked with people from the organization called "Alliance to Preserve the Truth of the Sino-Japanese War" and attended their exhibits and I fully support their mission. I even bought their T-shirt to help support their cause and publicize awareness. Surely, it should never be forgotten. But, even that organization states "There is no ill feeling or hatred towards the Japanese people. The Japanese civilians, in fact, were also the victims of a handful of Japanese militarists who brought unspeakable horror to permanently scar the victimized nations, including Japan". They even see that not all Japanese should be lumped into a group to hate, even in face of the facts that what was done was unforgivable and beyond comprehension. So, I hope this underscores that I am fully aware of the history and fully know that it is not forgotten and still continues today.

I am also sure you too will find Native Americans, or Black Americans that still harbor some resentment or have not forgotten. And rightly so. And there are many more cases, from the Jewish atrocities in Europe in WWII to ones that continue to today. And while I understand the resentment against a country, I still feel we should not lump all citizens into one big group and not accord them respect without knowing them individually.

So, the point in the discussion is really not about what Japan did, and what continues today, but more about whether one should lump all men from this country into one group to not respect because of what their country or government did and still does. I feel we should not. And also brings the question that if one does, does that person hold the same logic for men or citizens for every other country that committed atrocities and did not acknowledge and make restitution, so to question the logic of why one is not consistent.

Sorry am going to have to agree with the original thought, that Udon expats are the bottom of the barrel. I have been through there many times, and each time that concept is reinforced.. Was in a small bar beer the last time , at the Day and Night bar beer center. There was a farang passed out stone cold in the corner of the bar. A pleasant Thai woman was there with her 1 year old child. When I asked her who the passed out guy was, she said it was her husband.....

Side note: Have also been to Ranong many times, do not recall seeing any Japanese expats in large numbers. Regarding respect for Japanese men, do some research on the comfort women and Unit 731 in China, and tell me if you feel the same way about Japanese men.

Wait, have you confused Ranong and Rayong ? That is a bit of a newcomer mistake.....

So someone should have no respect for Japanese men today because of what the country did in WWII? Should we not respect all American men because of USA's past atrocities of slavery and also what was done to the Native Americans?

Certainly Japan's history of imperialism leading up to WWII was very brutal and shameful. And certainly the country, men and women, should do more to admit their past mistakes and show respect to those countries they committed such horrendous acts against, but to extend this to say one should not respect any men from Japan today is just wrong thinking and a slippery slope. One can find atrocities performed in almost every country, so if we applied the same logic, we should not respect anybody.

Regardless of what a country and government may have done, best to not make broad brush strokes (either way) and judge each individual on their own merit.

I honestly believe if all Shins and their cronies all disappeared from Thailand the country could actually be repaired. As long as they are here this hatred will continue forever.

If it was not the Shinawatra's, then it would be other corrupt politicians and their families that would do the same. So, the hate would still be there, just directed at someone else. Corruption is too embedded in Thai culture.

We have all read too many stories about lack of safety or concern in Thailand. Only if it causes a perceived loss of money (and sometimes they cant even see that), will action happen.

Many foreigners in Thailand already know this very well, but the sad fact is that many foreigners need a mind shift when they come to Thailand, at least those that come from countries that have more safety regulations. Most of us are a bit conditioned to assume some level of safety without giving it a second thought in our home countries, but in Thailand, that needs to stop and people need to take more ownership of their safety.

1. We assume if we are walking about, there is some level of warning for any safety, e.g. that holes in the sidewalk would have barriers and signs, that something overhead with danger of falling would have area cordoned off below,

2. We assume most products we use will be safe. We assume that most service people that perform a service know what they are doing. e.g. service people that come install electrical appliances like water heaters will know what they need to do, like grounding, or we assume they would also be concerned or care that they do it right and not endanger human lives, or at the very least, would at least think that an injury or death would be bad for business

3. We assume some level of brains on the road with most drivers, so that we dont always have to drive super defensively, e.g. that people are smart enough to not try to pass into oncoming traffic on a blind curve

4. We assume foods sold in the market will be safe to eat, and not have levels of pesticides that are dangerous.

5. We assume some level of enforcement of regulations by the government to insure some safety regulations are met

6. We assume a bus we ride on is not a ticking time bomb, that the driver will have gotten enough sleep to not doze while driving, or will drive safe and obey speed laws, and the bus does not have tires that are ready to blow, or brakes that have been checked periodically

7. We assume a safety railing near a ledge will be secure and not break or allow someone to fall through. We already know they are not high enough as they should be or that there are not regulations and enforcement to insure such height.

8. We assume airlines will follow strict maintenance and check procedures by qualified and trained personnel and not cut corners, so that the plane is safe.

9. We assume there are laws to prevent being scammed or ripped off, or at least laws and enforcement to take recourse, when we do encounter something illegal or wrong.

I could go on and on. All these and more we tend to assume and not think twice about in our home countries. However, in Thailand, sadly these are not the case, and all these assumptions should go out the window. All these things require some diligence, enforcement, cost money, common sense, so sadly they are not there. So, there needs to be a shift in thinking that one needs to take more ownership over their own safety, and take nothing for granted. It is difficult to do, as it requires a lot more effort, inconvenience, diligence, sometimes money (dont always go with the cheapest) and knowledge. And even doing all you can do, is not enough, and there are some things are just unavoidable to try and control. So, "caveat emptor" really applies to Thailand and not only what you buy, but beware in everyday living, so maybe we need a new phrase, something like "caveat vivo", haha.

If you will notice...that the two photos have the exact same legs, feet and luggage! Whoever photo shopped this did not do a very good job!

And not to mention a white line on the photo on the left between the upper half of the body and the lower half, that clearly shows 2 different halves stuck together. Have to question why the Malaysian officials would dummy the photo like that, and in a way so blatantly obvious and that is about as good as a 7 year old trying to do it in 15 seconds. Maybe they felt they had to have full body photos and they did not have one for the photo on the left, so they cut and taped?? It makes them lose credibility and makes them look very unprofessional.