Rorri

Like many superstitions, in all countries, they are based of some long ago reason, so far back many people do not know its origin, and, as Thais do not like to admit they don't know, you will get the "something you should not be concerned about."

12 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

Like leaving food out all day and then having it for supper, like chopping up a chicken on a cutting board and then using the same board yet unwashed to cut up fruit.

It's not that long ago that western countries did the same thing, and guess what, we survived, our gut culture, hope you understand biology, was much better. How many thais suffer from food poisoning, out of 65million people, not many.

9 hours ago, Thian said:

 

And you better go home! Seems to me you have never heard about thai etiquette.

 

 

Is that all you say... mmm seems very limited intelligence. Soles are seen everywhere, even, as I said, at temples. It is the deliberate pointing that offends. Do this, go to a temple, sit at the rear, and see if you see if don't see soles, go to a thai house, at meal times, and I guarantee you will see soles. 

AS for your "go home" comment... childish.... VERY childish

Two things stand out, the op has a sole fetish and has no hands, to point with.

A suggestion, do not go to a temple, you will see hundreds of soles... oh wait, your fetish will be satisfied.

Another thing, grow up, even Buddha  had soles, in fact on some statues the soles can be seen.

This foot thing, except in temples, is purely thai, and comes from feet being dirty, usully from working outside, as for thais crossing legs, when sitting on chairs, this is comfortable  for them, many do not eat at tables, but sit cross legged on the floor.

Op, you need to eat at home.

whaahaha Just put your seat belts on TV members. Its just the start. What is your home country doing about this? ITS PATHETIC. Thailand must receive reciprocal treatment and then some.

tit for tat reciprocal treatment. dont be so pathetic.

Thailand is one of the easiest countries to come and go from and you can be sure a lot of countries do not allow the same freedoms for Thai's or any other nationality to easily come and go.

Didn't take much to get my wife to Australia, on landing she is entitled to medicare, can buy a car, a house, land, all in her name, can work, can travel freely, does not have to report to immigration/police or anyone, basically the only thing she can't do is apply for centrelink allowances (social security) or vote. Oh, and not having to suffer the racist 2 tire pricing.

Check out the contents of Chemtrails.Its one of the reasons I left the US.I do not see them here,but.

Doesn't mean they are not there... bad news for you, it is and you are breathing.

I hope everyone is having a good holiday season; I certainly am.

The story I'm about to tell might put a damper on the holiday spirits but I think there's a good lesson to be learned from it.

-----

I was walking on the ground floor of Siam Paragon this evening; some of you are probably familiar with the fact that it is almost always crowded down there and doubly so during the holidays. I was on my way to get a salad from the grocery store.

Now I should preface the story with the following: I come from a city with fast-walking pedestrians and everyone there is pretty good about either moving forward or staying out of the way. Sometimes I can get pretty frustrated here with the slow-walkers and the people who plant themselves in the middle of a busy walkway. My favorites are the "Crazy Ivans" or the people who do a sudden 180 and walk right into you. Anyway, I admit that sometimes I am fairly aggressive in working my way through a crowd; this is a known character flaw that I'm working on. In summary, I can be a bit of a jerk when trying to walk from point A to point B.

This evening was especially trying as there were many groups of travelers slowly wandering about, so I was squeezing past people in frustration. I wasn't in a huge rush so there was no reason I couldn't have been more patient. I finally made it past the worst of the crowds and was headed into the store when suddenly I felt something smack me hard in the back of the head. I turned around and it was clear who the culprit was: a tall stocky man with a backpack was jogging away from me and everyone was staring at him. I had zero recollection of this guy.

So I jogged after him and caught up with him near the down escalator, at which point he saw me. He turned around and grabbed my arms and started swearing at me, and I said, "What the hell are you doing?" He said, "You hit me first, so I hit you back!" He started pulling and shoving me towards the down escalator; I feared that he was going to try to throw me downstairs. I work out regularly but he had about 10cm and 20kg on me; still I was able to resist him and I felt like he would have a hard time overpowering me.

I then said, "No I never hit you." He seemed taken aback and said, "Really?" I said, "Really, I didn't hit you, not on purpose anyway." Then he said, "OK, then I didn't hit you, we're even!" and started walking away. I followed him again and after a few steps he turned back and came at me. At that point, a crowd had gathered around us, and a few security guards showed up and put themselves between us. He said something like, "Why did you hit me? Don't you know who I am??" So I took out my phone and pointed the camera at him. He said, "Oh, you're going to take a photo?" I took a photo and put the phone in my pocket. He then came at me, saying, "I'm going to take <deleted> your phone!" I jumped back a bit but the security guards stopped him. He then made an angry face and flipped me off; I raised my eyebrows and turned my nose up slightly, and we walked away.

As I was getting my salad a few minutes later, I was still in fight-or-flight mode; my heart was pumping and I was trying to calm myself down. I thought about his statement, "Do you know who I am?" and started getting a bit paranoid. Is he some sort of gangster? Was he going to wait outside for me with his buddies? Was he going to try to follow me home? All these are unlikely scenarios but they were all flashing through my head during my hyper-awareness.

-----

Later, when I arrived at home (after admittedly looking over my shoulder a bit), I reflected on the events that happened. As angry as I was at the guy, I was also thankful that the incident was a reminder for me to be a bit more polite and patient when working my way through a crowd. I can certainly do with a bit more calm and a bit more Thai-style jai yen yen and mai pen rai as I go from point A to point B. It reminded me of some of the bitter foreigners that I've run into, such as one who shoved me through the BTS entry gate when I was having trouble with my card, and another who kicked me as I squeezed past him on the stairs, and I don't want to end up like these guys.

A message to the guy, if he happens to be reading: if I accidentally hard-checked you while trying to get past you, I apologize and meant no disrespect. I honestly don't recall bumping into anyone that hard. However, that is no excuse for slapping someone on the back of the head and then running off like a coward. Next time, let's calmly discuss the issue like men rather than fighting like boys.

And a message to all: I humbly suggest not letting the holiday crowds get to you like I did. There are going to be plenty of travelers and huge crowds in the city, and IMHO the best way to deal with it is to stay calm and be a bit more patient, and to share a bit of holiday spirit with the strangers around you.

so you act like an idiot by pushing everyone and got slapped once. be prepared to get loads more and possibly worse.

The OP either has the BEST recall I know of, or, dare I say, it's made up.

Is it even an offence here?

Is it even an offence anywhere outside North America?

It is in Singapore

and Australia

I don't understand some posters, here we have US, Singapore and Australia...guys, this is about THAILAND, is it so damn hard to stick to the op.

It is indeed illegal to jaywalk, however, like most laws, it is ignored, unless some copper needs a few more baht.

Did you want to rent about it, rant about it or vent about it? I'm guessing vent.

You seem the only one who need to "rant" about incorrect spelling, surely there are more important things for you to do... are you sure your an Aussie, it seems more like a "whinging pom," as us true blues say.

Many expats never liked Thailand in the first place - just the fact that they could pay women to pretend to like them.

You might add that most of them are so ugly, no female would look at them in their own country

And I guess you are "hansum" man.... obviously with a very ugly heart.

Reminds me of a young couple I met in Pattaya a few years ago. They were in their early 30s and teaching English. They just loved it here in Thailand. They said they were planning on going home. I asked why if they liked it so much. They said there were so many cynical people around that they were starting to buy in to it also. So they wanted to leave before they got like the other cynical people. Thailand is to beautiful to have that kind of an outlook on it.

"Thailand is to beautiful"... really, ok here's your chance, enlighten us.

"This is sufficient to last until the end of this year even without rainfall." Do these people EVER do the maths, before commenting, total requirements, his figures, 11624200 cubic metres, total capacity (currently), once again, his figures 7790000, as we can see it doesn't "add" up, even now he mentions trucking water in, so one must assume, Phuket is in serious water shortage. If they get to the point of trucking in water, can you image the continuous stream of trucks required to supply enough water for the island. All this and they still allow the filling in of lakes...looks like someone is in the water carting business.

Required on a yearly basis 12.5, available at the moment 7.8, considering we're in mid April that will last almost till the end of the year.

He did not mention trucking water in, he mentioned trucking water to people that don't receive communal water at the moment.

So no, I agree with the governor, Phuket does not have a serious water shortage.

There is NOTHING in the OP that says trucking water ONLY to communal areas, I don't know where you get your info from, but it certainly isn't from the OP. Now as for your first paragraph, did you not read/understand the governors own words, he clearly stated, in the OP, which I CLEARLY quoted "This is sufficient to last until the end of this year even without rainfall." Hence why I said " Do these people EVER do the maths" I thought any fool, not that I am calling you one (some people are rather sensitive) would understand what I wrote. I admit getting my own maths wrong, of course it's yearly requirement is 12553000, this more so supports my comment.

Still required for the remainder of the year based on average usage throughout the year would be about 9030000 cubic meters, so yes, almost enough already in the reservoirs. Now take into account that we're comping up to 6 months low season, so far less people and therefore usage than in high season, and the present stock would easily last until beginning of 2016.

And yes, he is talking about trucking water to areas that need it, he is only talking about trucking water in to Phuket as an emergency, which as he states and the calculations clearly show is not necessary if we don't have any rains at all.

Your conclusion "even now he mentions trucking water in, so one must assume, Phuket is in serious water shortage." is based on loose sand at best.

My comment was based on the governors ON words, your replies are based on your ASSUMPTIONS. Once again, as you seem unable to comprehend sometime very simple, he clearly stated "This is sufficient to last until the end of this year even without rainfall." I would have thought any simpleton could understand this, but obviously I was wrong, I'm sorry for your failings. Also, the governor CLEARLY said the figures are YEARLY requirements, NOTHING to do with high or low season, I really don't know what you read but it certainly doesn't seem to be what the rest of us read.

"This is sufficient to last until the end of this year even without rainfall." Do these people EVER do the maths, before commenting, total requirements, his figures, 11624200 cubic metres, total capacity (currently), once again, his figures 7790000, as we can see it doesn't "add" up, even now he mentions trucking water in, so one must assume, Phuket is in serious water shortage. If they get to the point of trucking in water, can you image the continuous stream of trucks required to supply enough water for the island. All this and they still allow the filling in of lakes...looks like someone is in the water carting business.

Required on a yearly basis 12.5, available at the moment 7.8, considering we're in mid April that will last almost till the end of the year.

He did not mention trucking water in, he mentioned trucking water to people that don't receive communal water at the moment.

So no, I agree with the governor, Phuket does not have a serious water shortage.

There is NOTHING in the OP that says trucking water ONLY to communal areas, I don't know where you get your info from, but it certainly isn't from the OP. Now as for your first paragraph, did you not read/understand the governors own words, he clearly stated, in the OP, which I CLEARLY quoted "This is sufficient to last until the end of this year even without rainfall." Hence why I said " Do these people EVER do the maths" I thought any fool, not that I am calling you one (some people are rather sensitive) would understand what I wrote. I admit getting my own maths wrong, of course it's yearly requirement is 12553000, this more so supports my comment.

"This is sufficient to last until the end of this year even without rainfall." Do these people EVER do the maths, before commenting, total requirements, his figures, 11624200 cubic metres, total capacity (currently), once again, his figures 7790000, as we can see it doesn't "add" up, even now he mentions trucking water in, so one must assume, Phuket is in serious water shortage. If they get to the point of trucking in water, can you image the continuous stream of trucks required to supply enough water for the island. All this and they still allow the filling in of lakes...looks like someone is in the water carting business.

This view has something to do with me being happy in Thailand, among many other things.

Nice photo, but it's not always green.... dry and hot most times of the year... I hope there's more that keeps you here.

Yes, there are many other things which keep me here and I think my 38 years of living here can attest to that. For some of us Thailand has afforded us a wonderful life.

Wow, you must have been a rich young fella when you moved here... for me I accept my mortality, so am moving wife, and daughter, back to Australia, where they will have a far better life, even after I kick the bucket. Something others should be considering, instead of ONLY their lives.

Even if we accept the "meaning" of the sign, one thing stands out, at least for me... signs do NOT make responsible parents, there seems to be a failure in Thai society to be responsible, when it comes to their kids often the "responsibility" is forced upon an older child, even if that child is only slightly older, the parents taking no care.

-The weather is better here

-There is a wider variety of delicious food, local and international

-The cost of living is so low I only work 2-3 days a week

-The police show mercy and can be negotiated with

-I am treated with respect

-I receive excellent health care

-The people are easy going

-The city is constantly changing with new things to do and places to explore

-The beach is 2 hours away by drive

-My huge family lives here

-I speak the language and know the culture

-And the list goes on...

Not even a seven nation army could drag me back.

Sounds like you are describing Perth, Australia, except, the cost of living is a bit higher and the beaches are only a few minutes away and are far superior to ANY in Thailand.

This view has something to do with me being happy in Thailand, among many other things.

Nice photo, but it's not always green.... dry and hot most times of the year... I hope there's more that keeps you here.

Its called taking from the dealers and sharing back to the people , innit?

A certain unelected, by the people, person, could use this stunt to bring "Happiness to Thais."

Cartoons and comics is about all they read

Wrong! I've been to the book fair many times and went last Saturday. Thousands of people leaving with bags full of books. Most books were text based.Not many cartoon book stalls.Asia books were there and selling hundreds of books to Thais.Mostly fantasy and tv series etc but it's a sign of the growing fluency of the middle classes in English...

"Thousands" really, and you could see inside their bags...... I see something very wrong with your comment...besides, even IF you are right, you are looking at a VERY small portion of Thais, all congregated in one small area. My personal observation is that I see very few Thais reading printed material or web sites, unless they are social sites. Oops, and of course texting.

These people simply are not proactive, are they? Always "react" after the lights are turned on.

A HUGE loss of face on this one...huge... and what did it take, well a few Thai airlines banned, in some countries, and in others put under strict requirements.... a total failure for Thailand. They can hide the truth from Thais, but not from the world... same for many other issues.

Yep, so this so called satelite can predict when some little idiot sets fire to a field / mountain side for fun ??? Would love to know how they do it !! And still a wildfire though its been set alight purposely

Not only that but they can "predict" the idiot will light the fire up to sixty days before it happens, this is way before the idiot knows he's going to do it... I suspect more BS from Thai "experts."

Seems to me the wife had enough of you.

Go back to her, be sincere with her and promise her you will change your attitude towards her.

A good thing also is to get a bunch of nice flowers for her.

Good Luck to you.

forget the flowers, but add a pickup (new)

I'm starting to wonder if Costas2008 does in fact live in Thailand, or if he has "dated" Thai women, I do not know any, Thai women, that want flowers, they hold no monetary or food value at all. I admit though, I do not know every Thai woman.

Resolved, I don't know what dictionary was used, but I fail to see what was "resolved." no-one resolved anything.

This is the driver's side of the story, who is understandably terrified about

losing face and criminal action. Would be nice to get the side of the family,

hard to believe that they would ask be dumped out in the middle of the tollway..

Not only on the tollway, but hey, they are tourists, they wouldn't know where Soi Sukhumvit 71 is so why would they just abandon the van... this is another "story" that doesn't hold true. We have yet to see and video, and we know there are cameras...