razer

I apologize for all the western idiots who behave like this. I find this type of behaviour disgusting. This behaviour is not acceptable in our home countries and usually end up with a night in the jail's drunk tank and a substantial fine.

"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." F.D.Roosevelt

on the other hand ...

"In a democracy the poor will have more power than the rich, because there are more of them, and the will of the majority is supreme." Plato

In these quotes I see the conflict.

Thailand needs the money. Maybe this will create a legal precedence when Thai's call westerners "farang". Then we can sue any Thai or even the Thai government for racial comments.

So ... they cut the tag off and go their merry way. What will the government do?

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”A second key event is that leaders of Pheu Thai's red-shirt supporters plan a "closed-doors meeting" on that day to discuss plans for a mass red-shirt rally in Bangkok on April 5.”

JUST REMEMBER

1. Do not beat up our monks, they are Buddha’s messengers. We respect them.
2. Do not intimidate or harass our children if they oppose you. We love them.
3. Do not burn our work places. We need to work because we love our families.
4. Do not form gangs and loot the shops.

5. Don't kill children with grenades.

I wonder how long this will last.

Taxis are one of the many public faces of Thailand. The impression they give visitors is what the visitors take home and talk about.

Generally speaking, logical thinking is not common in Thailand, but logical thinking is also not so common in many western countries. Thais are capable when taught but there is evidence critical thinking is not encouraged in many countries, including the USA. The Texas Republican Party passed a referendum to delete critical thinking from the school curriculum because it causes young people to challenge authority and "traditional values".

Good to see something has been done but as long as there is complicity between government officials, the military and the police, nothing will change ... nothing can change.

Just on CNN

Malaysia Investigators: Did you see the missing Malaysian Air 370 on your radar?

Thailand Government: Yes. It was going west, south of Thailand.

Malaysia Investigators: Why didn’t you tell us last week?

Thailand Government: Nobody asked us directly.

Sloap-head, gook, farang ... all are dehumanizing terms for a person of different origin. The dehumanization is for a purpose... It is easier to hate something not quite human. Where Vietnamese, Asian and Westerner relate to human beings, sloap-head gook and farang have no human connotation.

This is Thailand! Is there any doubt?

Who has who by the balls? It;s the old Tuk-Tuk squeeze and Pochanapay wants to play ball.

What rubbish. Did the writer of this piece make up these abstract confessions?

Possible remedy for stolen passports ... My passport was stolen whenI first arrived BKK in 2007 and I knew who stole it. I reported it to the police who were not interested in assisting me, so I just went my embassy, reported it stolen and got a new passport. It all comes down to the police; every time. I wish they understood what national pride is. It might be a good thing for Thailand if the government allowed copies of passports to serve as a tempory ID until the original could be presented but that would eleminate the extorsion fine police collect. Tourists and residents could leave their passports in a safe place and produce it if necessary.

Hotels could issue a tourist ID as well, with the name of the hotel, the passport number, and visa expiration date. That should be sufficient for any ID or rental when presented with a driving license.

YES ... no fine ... they just confiscate it ... you can check the street vendors because that is where your e cigs will end up.

Possible remedy for stolen passports ... My passport was stolen whenI first arrived BKK in 2007 and I knew who stole it. I reported it to the police who were not interested in assisting me, so I just went my embassy, reported it stolen and got a new passport. It all comes down to the police; every time. I wish they understood what national pride is. It might be a good thing for Thailand if the government allowed copies of passports to serve as a tempory ID until the original could be presented but that would eleminate the extorsion fine police collect. Tourists and residents could leave their passports in a safe place and produce it if necessary.

Hotels could issue a tourist ID as well, with the name of the hotel, the passport number, and visa expiration date. That should be sufficient for any ID or rental when presented with a driving license.

My passport was stolen whenI first arrived BKK in 2007 and I knew who stole it. I reported it to the police who were not interested in assisting me, so I just went my embassy, reported it stolen and got a new passport. It all comes down to the police; every time. I wish they understood what national pride is. It might be a good thing for Thailand if the government allowed copies of passports to serve as a tempory ID until the original could be presented but that would eleminate the extorsion fine police collect. Tourists and residents could leave their passports in a safe place and produce it if necessary.

Hotels could issue a tourist ID as well, with the name of the hotel, the passport number, and visa expiration date. That should be sufficient for any ID or rental when presented with a driving license.

??? It's legal for Thai citizens to sell fake Rolex watches to foreigner citizens under Thai law but foreigne citizens can't sell fake Rolex watches to Thai citizens ??? I don't get it.

Anyone who has been here for any length of time has seen news reports "Police will enforce this regulation or that regulation" and nothing happens. All talk and no action. I think the hardest the traffic police work is collecting "fines" each month.

A benevolent dictator who loves his country, who wants to eradicate corruption at all levels by draconian means, and who wants to build a 21st century infrastructure for all of Thailand.

Food poisoning does not last four days. Could be a serious stomach virus or stomach flu. Such a virus killed a few people in China in 2009-10. Recommend a proper hospital. You can Google "stomach flu" and get a lot of information.

Be careful. A friend of mine bought a house in a nearby resort area and had a dispute with the contractor over shoddy work. They filed suit. Her husband was shot point blank the night before the court date and is a quadriplegic now.