JingerBen

Is Chiang Mai a dystopia that needs an ethnic cleansing?

Have things really gotten that bad?

If so, let's snap to it and create an ultra-violent video game based on that premise.

An updated Clockwork Orange scenario in a real horrorshow Thai context!

The avatars would be the droogs Alex, Georgie, Pete, and Dim with their antagonist Billyboy. Throw in Anders Breivik for a modern touch.

They would prowl Chiang Mai by night looking for degenerate farangs to eliminate in creative ways.

Better living through chemistry at the Korova Milkbar, located... where else?... on Loi Kroh. Dirty, seedy, and squalid as it is.

A game like this would be the perfect outlet for those who are concerned about the present situation.

They could play to their heart's content and at the at the end of the day Chiang Mai would still be...

"Queer as a Clockwork Orange".

Bog help us all!

Maybe a lockup is what's needed but not for his stuff.

I've had a blast here for the last 2 days and plan on doing it again today...

Sure, there are some jerks out here... but to just refer to 'idiot farangs' is not really fair... There were all sorts of idiots out there....I had a Thai person whip a handful of wet talcum powder in my eyes laughing like a lunatic ...... also saw white people doing the same... even saw some Japanese and Chinese acting like retards too... It's Songkran... People do stupid things without thinking... you just have to expect it I guess

Anyways... I'm off to have another great day out there!

Ciao,

Jeff

With everybody covered with talcum powder how do you know who's "white"?

Don't know about that marmite crud but good old Vegemite never goes off.

I have jars that are a good 3 or 4 years old. After a nuclear war there will be cockroaches and Vegemite, thats it.

What would off marmite taste like? How could you tell?

Cockroaches and Vegemite, that's it.

That would mean the end of cockroaches as we know them.

It would lead to virtual extinction from eating the Vegemite.

Any survivors among them will experience the all too familiar and tragic consequences of a Vegemite diet.

Extreme cultural decline. With their intellectual, artistic, and other higher faculties atrophied to the point of extinction.

Australians might survive too.

Didn't you ever see the movie "On the Beach"? It was a plausible scenario for Australia surviving a nuclear apocalypse.

If that's the way it turns out, Australians will be in fierce competition with the cockroaches for the remaining Vegemite.

Sell by dates will be meaningless in that scrum.

It sounds like a mia-noi would be the obvious Thai solution.

Counseling by quacks and heavy mind-altering medication would be a psychiatric snake-pit that she might pull you into after her. It's often said here that there's a right way; a wrong way; and a Thai way, to do things.

Always take the Thai way.

In this case it would be a mia-noi.

That might be the shock-treatment she needs. Who knows?

All the best, Dude.

There was a story out a few days ago that said the goverment was talking about raising the foreign ownership percentage in condominiums to 70% from 49%... or whatever it is now.

If that goes through, which it probably will, the actual foreign ownership will be as close to 100% as makes no difference.

At least that will make it easier to calculate demographics.

But however you figure it I think we're a long way from 33%.

There may have been some motive for quoting such a grossly inflated figure.

I thought for most of us living in Thailand its easy to get our heads around oddities...i mean, just about everything "odd" happens here, does it not..lol

Anyway, i found the movie intriguing. It really compartmentalised sex from emotions, in a clinical non-erotic or sensual way. (I realise people can of course have emotionless sex, but this was presented in a very different kind of way).

Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd weren't in it were they?

This sounds almost like a clinical examination of Australian sexuality.

The possible inclusion of Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd would indeed make it a "must see" for cinema buffs everywhere.

The scene where Julia says to Kevin "You hansum man" was truly unforgettable!

A classic moment to equal anything ever seen on the Silver Screen and worth the price of admission in itself.

Australian Cinema has scaled the heights before. But the Gillard-Rudd chemistry creates a rocket fuel that propels it into supernal realms unvisited.

Sit back and enjoy... but don't forget to fasten your seatbelts!

This annual sale of mostly high quality goods seemed to get bigger and better every year with more and more regional prisons being included. Then it ended suddenly and inexplicably.

I would like to know myself why they no longer put it on.

As you say, it seemed to be a good thing for everybody concerned.

I recall that it was held at Kam Tieng for several years but before that it was at other places. But I can't remember where.

I don't know what ended it. Maybe some TV Member knows.

Too bad if it was interference by foreign goverments or organizations.

If so, it would be yet another example of do-gooders causing trouble through ignorance.

You don't see so many kwais in the countryside anymore.

Their numbers seem to have decreased as the numbers of farang have increased.

This topic although a spoof, addresses an important point.

Simply put, there are just too many farangs coming to Chiang Mai.

Immigration when it becomes massive tends to destroy the very things the immigrants came for in the first place.

It has been true in the US and Europe.

It will be true in Chiang Mai.

Wait and see.

This is long overdue for farangs.

But what about a Bedlam for Thais as well?

I know there are modern psychiatric hospitals here. But your idea of an 18th century type of institution might be better.

The modern places are manifest failures.

But tomorrow we will take a peek at the most talked about_ Sunday Walking Street. Does any friendly chianmai-nian here know of whereabout a clean/convienence bathroom we can used along that street?....as we plan to eat and drink a lot

Thanks in advance

Say "Boo-ut chee! Boo-ut chee!" And jump up and down a few times.

That will surely get the attention of someone who will tell you where the nearest toilet [hawng nahm] is.

Dead dogs were a common sight on country highways in Northern Thailand during the 1970's.

As time went by fewer and fewer were to be seen. Until the mid and late 80's when their numbers were reduced to about what you see today.

I've often wondered if the reason was because fewer were being killed or because roadkill was being eaten by the locals or perhaps served up as mystery-meat added to the noodles and other dishes sold to the ever increasing number of farangs coming here.

A stroll down Memory Lane with you is usually entertaining and occasionally edifying.

With dead dogs as the topic du jour you are certainly in your element.

I remember exactly the same thing. They were to be seen in all stages of putrefaction.

But as I recall, vultures and other carrion-eaters were seldom seen so the carcasses rotted away slowly.

Why the drastically reduced numbers as you mentioned?

The building of mountain roads at that time certainly made it easier for the various hilltribes to come down to the lowlands. And as is well known, many are connoisseurs of dogflesh.

But I don't think that explains it.

Also the possibility of supplying the Vietnamese market didn't exist then for obvious reasons.

The dogs probably got savvy about fast moving vehicles. The oxcart days had ended and smarter dogs had to deal with the new conditions. It was the survival of the ones who got out of the way.

But on the other hand maybe you're right about them being fed to farangs.

You remember the old Junglefood Resturant on the riverside.

Was dog on the menu?

Maybe it was but we didn't know it at the time.

"The ones who survived were the ones who got out of the way".

Sounds like a textbook example of Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest.

Evolution in action. A species advancing.

The next thing you know they will be posting on Thai Visa.

The chief of police in Chiang Mai said last year that foreigners should not carry their passports with them at all times because of the danger of getting it stolen. I don't carry with me while in CM. When I venture out on CM, I carry with me. Never a problem in CM.

Very interesting to hear that the Police Chief of Chiang Mai has weighed in on this matter. Maybe we are close to getting a definitive answer.

The next time you have the Chief's ear, get him to tell you exactly what laws are on the books.

Until now, this thread has been nothing but opinion and speculation.

A diarroea of words on a subject that is as simple as it is important.

That is, does a Thai law exist that requires foreigners to carry their passports at all times?

It's easy to say "don't worry about it, no such law exists".

But many people over the years have been locked up until they were able to produce their passport.

The letter to the Bangkok Post which prompted the revival of this thread describes only the latest instance.

I can remember a magazine article some time ago where Purachai himself made reference to this and stated categorically that photocopies would not be accepted in lieu of the original passport because they were too easy to alter.

That being the case, it creates a climate of uncertainty and even fear during close encounters with the BIB.

Getting reliable information in Thailand has never been easy, but you would think that someone could find out for sure.

This simple question has not been answered because:

1. Nobody knows.

2. Nobody cares.

3.Addressing every nuance of the subject except the point allows the topic to be prolonged until ended by fatigue or the MOD's. Whichever comes first.

4. Reluctance to return to the usual topics; burgers, pizza, cola, where to buy toothpaste, a hole in my sox, etc.

My own opinion, for what it's worth, is that no passport law exists.

But that's cold comfort for the hapless dudes who get pulled off the street now and then. And it does happen. Regardless of all the happy-talk you hear from the Pollyannas to the contrary.

Wherever you are your passport better not be too far away.

"Not to worry". Why should they?

They wouldn't be the ones sitting in an Immigration holding cell if you were asked to show your passport.

I generally like hanging with the Aussies, though after the first beer it gets very hard to understand what they are saying. If I hear a a reference to "septics" ....end of conversation and all contact with that individual.

I may be naive Brother, but what does "septic" mean in this context?

Boys and girls, today we are going to learn about slang.

Rhyming slang. Australian rhyming slang.

Our first word will be "septic" or 'seppo" as it is sometimes written and pronounced.

This is used for Americans, who are also known as "Yanks".

"Septic" comes from "septic tank". Tank / Yank. Get it?

And a septic tank is full of what? Poo-poo. Yes, that's right.

If you are ever called a septic or seppo the best answer is:

"Sticks and stones will break my bones,

but words can never hurt me".

The general consensus seems to be that you won't be asked to show your passport or be otherwise harassed unless you are travelling in areas notorious for drug trafficing, illegal immigration, etc. Or in towns, engaged in obnoxious activities such as singing in bars or otherwise disturbing the peace.

The question of whether or not there is a law saying you need to carry your passport at all times has not been answered.

Since the late 90's, announcements coming from Immigration imply that there is. It would be nice to know one way or the other. Although in reality it's a moot point because you are at the mercy of whoever has stopped you, and you will be dealt with according to the way they choose to interpret whatever law or laws may or may not exist.

This gauleiter mentality never seems to die. It just changes uniforms from time to time.

The general consensus seems to be that you won't be asked to show your passport or be otherwise harassed unless you are travelling in areas notorious for drug trafficing, illegal immigration, etc. Or in towns, engaged in obnoxious activities such as singing in bars or otherwise disturbing the peace.

The question of whether or not there is a law saying you need to carry your passport at all times has not been answered.

Since the late 90's, announcements coming from Immigration imply that there is. It would be nice to know one way or the other. Although in reality it's a moot point because you are at the mercy of whoever has stopped you, and you will be dealt with according to the way they choose to interpret whatever law or laws may or may not exist.

This gauleiter mentality never seems to die. It just changes uniforms from time to time.

There is a letter in Monday's Bangkok Post from a foreigner about what happened to him when he was unable to show his passport when he was out and about.

Are times changing? Again?

Anything similar to this in Chiang Mai recently?

That's not entirely fair. There has been a lot of work south of the bridge that carries Mahidol Road over the river but most, if not all, seems to have not been on the Nong Hoi side.

Yes, that's where the 5 star Holiday Inn is located.

Just a coincidence no doubt.

There is an Australian Consulate in Chiang Mai? I had no idea of this. Would you be able to provide me with the details to contact him?? It would make such a big difference.

Follow the trail of bare footprints leading north out of the city center.

After trekking for several days you will see a large reddish rock, almost like a mountain, looming up ahead of you.

The Australian Consulate should be somewhere in that area.

Happy trails!

Turmoil in Canberra.

Will it spread to Thailand?

If the number of Aboriginal tourists increases by next year we may have parallel Australia Day / Invasion Day festivities here in Chiang Mai.

Dwarf Tossing will seem tame by comparison to what we can expect then.

They're promoting Australia Day over on the Chiang Mai Forum.

Maybe there is some connection.

69 bar is the same owner as the downunder bar,near the downtown inn and you will find it

Downtown Inn?

Hasn't that been in the news this past year?

Welcome to the CM Forum.

Your debut post raises an interesting question, but one that may be difficult to answer. What's legal, and what's illegal, and who has jurisdiction is often ill-defined here.

My guess is that cockfighting is not illegal in Chiang Mai. Certainly it has been going on here since time out of mind.

But recently not as highly visible as it was before. There was a time when many young Thais in all the neighborhoods raised fighting cocks. You don't see that as much anymore.

The sign you saw was unusual, almost an anomaly, because most Thais nowadays take no interest in it whatsoever.

I presume that you are against cockfighting. If so, you will have much support on the forum, where many TV members react strongly to reports of cruelty to animals.

Laudable as their concern is, aggressive efforts on the part of foreigners to put a stop to these practices inevitably become counterproductive. Thais, generally speaking, resent the involvement of farangs in things they consider to be none of their business.

In Thailand there are three ways of doing things; a right way, a wrong way, and a Thai way. Always choose the Thai way. Which in this case would be to try to find like-minded Thais or an organization run by Thais. Then give them your help and support. But keep a low-profile, otherwise you will create problems.

I'm against it, of course, as any right thinking person would be. But your point of not getting personally involved in local affairs is well taken.

Surely there must be animal welfare groups active in Chiang Mai that are trying to put a stop to this.

I would be interested in hearing of any that are worthy of support.

Driving up to Mae Rim on the east side of the Ping River I saw a large sign in Thai with one line in English. I could make out the words "cockfight", "exhibition", and "learning". As the narrow road was curvey and lacking a shoulder in some places I only glanced briefly at the sign and we returned to Chiang Mai by a different route so I didn't see it again.

Perhaps TV members can enlighten me, a relative newcomer here, as to whether or not this "sport" is legal in Chiang Mai, and how widespread is it.

Does anyone know?