NoshowJones

I would have to rectify the mistake.

My conscience would remind me whether I could live with the possibility the member of staff had had their wages docked.

I know this is a little bit off topic, but it has the same meaning. If you were walking past an ATM and it started spurting out money, would you take it if you knew there was no chance of getting caught? I would.

It just feels like stealing to me to not insist on paying for all that was ordered.

Thinking about this a bit more, I do tend to mostly eat at places I have a personal connection to, sometimes places run by one family.

If it happened at a big corporate place like SIZZLER, now I'm thinking maybe I wouldn't bother noting an undercharge at a place like that.

So by your own definition, it's Ok to steal from a corporate?

If the shoe fits. The irony is I don't recall ever being undercharged at a place like Sizzler!

More precisely if a place like Sizzler ever undercharged me I think it would be feel more like a lucky break than stealing. Not suggesting this is rational as it's clearly more about my bias against big corporate concerns and a bias towards smaller businesses.

Jing - the actual irony is that the moral view in your OP is suddenly reversed if you don't have any affiliations to the entity/person that is undercharging. I would have thought that the moral would have applied regardless of who the entity was, or indeed, how significant or insignificant the undercharge was. Just saying......

If the owner of the restaurant chain was to restaurants what Branston is to Flight Companies, I would do anything to get money out of them. You don't become multi millionaires through business without being a rogue, ie screwing the customers because they want to fly during the holiday period. But as I say, as long as the ordinary employee does not lose out of it.

It just feels like stealing to me to not insist on paying for all that was ordered.

Thinking about this a bit more, I do tend to mostly eat at places I have a personal connection to, sometimes places run by one family.

If it happened at a big corporate place like SIZZLER, now I'm thinking maybe I wouldn't bother noting an undercharge at a place like that.

I agree with you JT, just as long as the waitress does not lose.

I usually do, except if I got bad service or feel like the place has been overcharging anyway.

Even if the service was just OK, I would let the waitress know I was undercharged, as she may have to pay the difference from her own pocket.

AVOID CONFLICT with Thais at all costs

I agree and learned that from ... Thai (they also avoid conflict!). Some years ago I bought a pack of hair elastics, worth 15 bath. When I got home and opened the package it seemed all elastics were "rotten". I told my thai pal I was going to take them back to the store (typical farang reaction, i didn't care about the 15 bath but wanted to tell the seller his goods were decayed). My friend said not to do it, just accept it and buy new ones somewhere else. Live and learn.

So........in any conflict with a Thai, fall to your knees, perform a deep wai, beg forgiveness for being a lowly farang, and hand over any amount of money the Thai wants ??? Ok no problem...

I don't know if you were quoting me or not, but I did state: "avoid confrontations at all costs" in an earlier reply. Conflicts will always occur, but they don't have to be escalated to confrontations.

IMHO, the victim had three choices when confronted by the taxi driver wielding a sword: 1) Start reaching for cash 2) Try a running escape 3) Do what he did. I probably would have been reaching for my cash and considered it a learning experience and either extortion at swordpoint or an armed robbery.

I would run, just as I did when an Eastern European who was one of three, attacked me in the street when I was making my way back to my hotel when I was back in Scotland two years ago.

A lot Comment about what should happen, Tell me HAS there been an arrest and charge ? Becuse if not then I suggest serious action by the US government supported by other western governments

Don't want to get into an argument here but from what I've heard, the American threw some water or coffee over the driver after complaining how expensive the fair was.

With this in mind, do you really think any government would get involved? Sure the reaction was well and truly over board but some will say the 'farang' started the row and maybe he just got more than he bargained for.

It's one thing pissing and moaning about the fair, but throwing your drink in someone's face??? Many on this site would also resort to violence after that sort of provocation.

That's true, if the passenger really did throw his drink at the taxi driver.

A few months ago I looked into the luggage compartment (boot) of a Bangkok taxi while retrieving my friends suitcase. Saw an Aluminum baseball bat. No other sports equipment, just the bat. Probably there to be used as a weapon I'd guess and hopefully for defense and not attack purposes.

Maybe the bus is safer after all.

Come to think of it, what use is a weapon in the boot of a taxi?In most cases, if the driver is attacked, he has to open his door, get out, go to the back of the car open the boot, then get the weapon. By that time the attacker is gone. It would seem to me that the weapon is in the boot in case the driver wants to attack someone, probably the passenger who complains about the fare etc.

He couldn't find the keys as the lights went out?

God, I really, really hope, I do not get drunk one day and end up in one of the places, for doing something stupid like driving drunk.

RIP

It's the easiest thing in the world, don't drink alcohol if you are going to drive. Simples.

Unfortunately there are nutters everywhere,the whole world is more violent nowadays.I know of farangs who carry weapons too,and no doubt would use them in a so called protecting themselves mode.

So many hotbeds of violence in uk too, take Glasgow for instance,supposed to have more nutters than anywhere in the uk

Glasgow is the same as any other big city in the UK, they have there share of nutters. There are people who walk about and gather together just looking for trouble, looking for innocent people to attack, they don't have to be provoked.

That sort of thing is almost unheard of in Thailand.

Almost unheard of in Thailand? Are you serious? This kind of thing is very common in Thailand. It may not happen in your neighbourhood but it certainly does happen. Your statements all have the same central theme: Thais don't do this kind of thing so it most be something the foreigner did. But almost every day you read about Thais attacking Westerners. Maybe its time people accept the fact that there is a lot of bigotry towards foreigners (and Westerners specifically) and this often spills out in attacks.

By the way, when was the last time you heard of someone getting attacked in the street with a sword back home? I'm willing to bet the cops would take it a little more seriously if a Thai tourist was hacked to death with a sword in Western country -- and the Thai government and media certainly would be up in arms.

This is complete nonsense.

Here you go: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/24/man-arrested-attacking-samurai-sword

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10012089/Shopkeeper-tells-of-terryfing-samurai-sword-attack.html

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/10464749.Man_jailed_for_Samurai_sword_attack/

Read my answer in post 329. Possum.

Jo1973. Where do you live in Thailand? Somewhere in the south? I have been in Pattaya lots of times, and never had any problems or felt threatened with any Thais, I go regularly to Bangkok and never had any problems with any Thai. That would be impossible in Glasgow. In my opinion, there are two negative things about Thais, although not them all, They are cowards who won't confront you man to man they need a back up of about another six, and there mentality is very poor, but again I say, not them all.

Yes there have been sword attacks in Scotland, I remember a couple when I lived there. This incident here in Thailand is the only sword attack that I know about in almost 8 years. I still say that the biggest majority of Thais maybe 90%, are very non confrontational. You could never say that about people in the UK.

dam_n !!!!! That was a sword attack, not a knife stabbing.....

I know what I would do if attacked with a knife, but will have to

think what to do about a sword.

Someone comes at you with a knife you better run fast , they come at you with a sword my advice run faster ............ Proven fact person can kill you faster with a knife than with a gun ......

No, to use a knife, you have to be in close up to do any damage, unless of course you are a trained knife thrower. Not so a gun.

Absolutely dreadful.

Don't argue with Thais, because their lack of appreciation for the gift of life is so scant, this is an all too common reaction.

If life is so sacred to Buddhists, then tell me why Thailand is head and shoulders above any other nation in the murder of tourists and expats.

Is Thailand really head and shoulders above any other nation in the murder of tourists and expats? I find that very hard to believe, are you taking the population of countries and expats into this statistic? Although I believe Thais are amongst the biggest cowards (not them all), if you mind your own business, and stay sober, Thailand is one of the safest countries in the world.

Totally agree, don't talk with Thai's you don't know, don't drink in bars or restaurants with Thai's, avoid all motersai, taxi and tuk-tuk if possible, don't answer any Thai's who want to sell something to you on the sidewalk, don't ever make any dispute or argue with any Thai's and you should be safe here,

Like I said, just use common sense and you should be OK.

Absolutely dreadful.

Don't argue with Thais, because their lack of appreciation for the gift of life is so scant, this is an all too common reaction.

If life is so sacred to Buddhists, then tell me why Thailand is head and shoulders above any other nation in the murder of tourists and expats.

Is Thailand really head and shoulders above any other nation in the murder of tourists and expats? I find that very hard to believe, are you taking the population of countries and expats into this statistic? Although I believe Thais are amongst the biggest cowards (not them all), if you mind your own business, and stay sober, Thailand is one of the safest countries in the world.

Disagree Thai is now one of the most dangerous. Ask the respective embassies of Western Countries. Becoming a country of scumbags

I am only commenting on my own experiences. Use common sense and you will be 99.9% safe.

Globeman, anythings possible, we don't know what really happened, and no one ever deserves to get stabbed unless the person who did it is acting in self defence, which obviously was not the case here.

you

Loptr, take another look at my posts, where did I say this stabbing must have been provoked? No, there was no excuse for killing him in the street, I was only making the point that Thailand is a very safe country to live in, if you stay sober and mind your own business, I am not saying that if you are drunk and don't mind your own business, you should be killed.

You just condoned the killings of a good many tourists....as drinking in thailand is sort of a major tourist attraction. I say you are "Dead Wrong." Not that I think that drinking is a good thing....but hey....get with the program...half the people in the bars of Pattaya, Phuket, Soi Cowboy, Nana and Chiang Mai deserve to die....according to you.

Hehe...sorry...reread your post. I misquoted you...and read too fast... my apologies sir....

Apology accepted, I have no problems with social drinkers, but drunkiness will get you into trouble in any country.

Michael Jackson could not sing, but look at the money he made.

technically MJ was a very talented singer (especially in his younger years).

Never heard him in his younger years, but when I did he sounded like a wee lassie. Sorry Mod, for going off topic.

with Lazada you can pay at 7/11 or cash on delivery.

Went to Lazada website, everytime I clicked on something, it just disappeared.

Paypal are about the most incompetent people I have ever dealt with.

sure, that's why they were bought by ebay and make billions a year...

Michael Jackson could not sing, but look at the money he made.

Yes, I'm constantly astounded how far behind they are in that respect. I do know some Thai people that use and benefit from Paypal though. Thai ePay and Paysbuy I don't hear too much about but those also work here and I haven't seen any good e-commerce applications that remove the manual processes completely.

Paypal aside, as the OP also mentioned credit cards I feel this is an area that is sorely lacking. I did e-commerce before there was a Paypal and I had a rather pricey credit card processing account. But here although they may be available and I'm unaware of it the fact remains that most Thais don't have a proper credit card. They slap visa logos on all the cards but they are basically just atm cards with some debit functionality. I know some have some one-time-password options and virtual cards but this is still far different from the US where you can use your debit card just like you would a Visa card as long as your bank balance covers the purchase.

As for the person suggesting that using paypal is dumb and asking why the seller should pay...these are the costs of doing business. It's just like paying for rent or taxes. We don't do it for kicks. We do it because it makes things more efficient and saves us time which equates to money and opens the doors to new customers which also equates to more money. If you've had some bad experiences with paypal I assure you I have had the same things happen processing credit cards. There are scammers everywhere and Thailand is no exception. You have to decide what is right for your business. The OP is complaining that there simply aren't many options here. It's part of moving forward. What if all the shopping centers in Thailand suddenly took your backwards approach and said they don't want to process credit or debit because they didn't feel the need to be responsibility for the costs of processing payments or the risks incurred? Customers would be inconvenienced and sales would be lost. If you want run your online business like a noodle stall that's fine. But people don't go to a noodle stall expecting to use their credit card and people don't shop online expecting to have to leave their house and run around making payments and sending faxes.

I have a Maestro debit card and can't use it with Paypal or do any online shopping with it, it is a disgrace as Maestro cards are used all over the world.

K-Web Shopping card works fine with PayPal and you have 2 forms of protection, I think the issue is it's listed as a debit card not a credit card. Altough the Web Shoppingcard functions basically the same as a debit card it is "listed" as a credit card. I've only had a problem with 1 merchant in the States who said they couldn't (or I suspect wouldn't) verify the card as it was an overseas card.

Can you get a K-Web Shopping card in Thailand?

Pay Pal cut off my account when I tried to use it in Thailand and wanted me to fly home to fix it. (I called before I left twice and heard nothing about this.) I spent quite a bit of cash calling them, so sent an email question instead last time. They took 24 DAYS to reply. I don't really trust them.

Paypal are about the most incompetent people I have ever dealt with.

Yes, I'm constantly astounded how far behind they are in that respect. I do know some Thai people that use and benefit from Paypal though. Thai ePay and Paysbuy I don't hear too much about but those also work here and I haven't seen any good e-commerce applications that remove the manual processes completely.

Paypal aside, as the OP also mentioned credit cards I feel this is an area that is sorely lacking. I did e-commerce before there was a Paypal and I had a rather pricey credit card processing account. But here although they may be available and I'm unaware of it the fact remains that most Thais don't have a proper credit card. They slap visa logos on all the cards but they are basically just atm cards with some debit functionality. I know some have some one-time-password options and virtual cards but this is still far different from the US where you can use your debit card just like you would a Visa card as long as your bank balance covers the purchase.

As for the person suggesting that using paypal is dumb and asking why the seller should pay...these are the costs of doing business. It's just like paying for rent or taxes. We don't do it for kicks. We do it because it makes things more efficient and saves us time which equates to money and opens the doors to new customers which also equates to more money. If you've had some bad experiences with paypal I assure you I have had the same things happen processing credit cards. There are scammers everywhere and Thailand is no exception. You have to decide what is right for your business. The OP is complaining that there simply aren't many options here. It's part of moving forward. What if all the shopping centers in Thailand suddenly took your backwards approach and said they don't want to process credit or debit because they didn't feel the need to be responsibility for the costs of processing payments or the risks incurred? Customers would be inconvenienced and sales would be lost. If you want run your online business like a noodle stall that's fine. But people don't go to a noodle stall expecting to use their credit card and people don't shop online expecting to have to leave their house and run around making payments and sending faxes.

I have a Maestro debit card and can't use it with Paypal or do any online shopping with it, it is a disgrace as Maestro cards are used all over the world.

Loptr, take another look at my posts, where did I say this stabbing must have been provoked? No, there was no excuse for killing him in the street, I was only making the point that Thailand is a very safe country to live in, if you stay sober and mind your own business, I am not saying that if you are drunk and don't mind your own business, you should be killed.

Loptr, take another look at my posts, where did I say this stabbing must have been provoked? No, there was no excuse for killing him in the street, I was only making the point that Thailand is a very safe country to live in, if you stay sober and mind your own business, I am not saying that if you are drunk and don't mind your own business, you should be killed.

But it hasn't flooded yet. Wait til it does then you can say see I told you so.

The houses down the road from us, about 1KM also never used to flood, now they flood every time we get heavy rain, the people there have to keep a stock of sand bags. Even the market and local shops are starting to see so much water out the front that only built up pickups can navigate around.

This is causing widespread problems for a lot of decent people who can't afford to lose their homes, these people have lived there for a long time, and the new developments are causing havoc here.

You wouldn't care less about the other folk,if it wasn't,effecting you.

Classic case of (not in my back yard) common affliction in Farangland.

That's a bit harsh, how do you know the OP couldn't care less? I was very sympathetic to the people who were affected by the 2011 floods. I bet a lot of Farangs were.