daveAustin

Greener approach to the self serving Belt and Road = don’t do it!

Xi told him that lol? His dodgy brethren are the problem, from the Thai perspective. Not a complete waste of a journey though… at least smiler got to show off how tall he was in his blue suit.

I used to like him too, Rob—mainly for his challenge of the system—but you best dig deeper. Thailand, at least from ‘our’ perspective, was infinitely better than when he tooled up in the early 2000s. Fell out with the ex many times over this guy. Better to channel your energies to the likes of Thanatorn. Genuine switched on person with a good heart that doesn’t need the money.

Ok this is nice for folks in the middle of nowhere, but Level the playing field? I’m not a teacher but how’s about Thailand helping out and giving credit to their foreign language teachers in the kingdom in general? These guys have had f all support or little in the way of wage rise for years.

^^^ It might, but that that might be a thing was an afterthought for this lot. Banana republic, Thailand-going-backwards stuff.

People mentioning alternatives in the region, but how long until they start rolling out their own level of special bs? It'll catch on. Seems best bet is to move around, perhaps 3-4 months in this or that place.

Nic. Got any pics? Are you in a tourist area? You'll get that anywhere in the world. Have many genuine Thai friends with none of the traits mentioned here, but then again I'm not in Phuket, Pattaya, Samui etc.

Is it a thing that judo 'black belts' shave their legs? I think not.

Just disgusting. That is low.

Dunno. Was recently strolling around the Giant Swing area which has some nice parks and clean, leafy streets. Spoke to some friendly locals and just a nice ambience all round. Good that they're beautifying the canals.

I would probably go with the 'grab my bag back' option but didn't see it here so guess it doesn't count.

Yep, perfect time for Xi to flex his ample weight. Putin over there to talk tactics again and wouldn’t be a stretch that he was in cahoots with Iran to stoke the Israel thing. snafu!

Three of the world’s ‘men’ of the moment, eh! Sorry, two and a half men. I mean, two men and a smiling donkey. Should invite over that nutter Wrong-Un too. Have a right ol’ knees up.

Agreed. Thai beer is utter crapola. Not denigrating the Thais at all as they are capable of churning out good things. Though, as you point out, are hamstrung by a dinosaur monopoly. I will have a beer and think on it some more. ????

Strewth, read the article slowly guys! “The person who drove Felicia has been questioned by the police and released without a report being drawn up”

They do like their crisp notes here, esp exchange booths. Should be immaterial however as it’s still legal tender and of no value itself, merely a cheque. Dunno the system here but stores should be handing in these duff notes to banks for ‘recycling’.

Of course they do but that doesn’t mean they’ll like you for it, Srettha.

Well certainly now, but unless you’ve had your head in the sand or never looked at the news it was always risky. I’m sure most Thais would have known the risks previously but were swayed by high wages. One couldn’t be so oblivious to think Israel a chill destination and this kind of thing never likely to happen. .

Very difficult situation regards repatriation (military planes) and getting people out of problem areas etc. Glad the guy was in the position to use own resources and get out… 50k is s bargain under the circs. But unsurprising to see a complete lack of empathy here; more of the usual anti-Thai quips ad nauseam.

It doesn’t necessarily but is one of many examples where potential returnees that like a tipple might think twice, not to mention the silly shopping purchasing hours. Frequenting a normal to classier establishment, anywhere really but Bkk especially (read: non-girlie bar shoeboxes with wife-beater-wearing mongers ????) will set one back handsomely, more expensive than London. Alcohol is ridiculously taxed/overpriced here—look at the price of a bar beer to the average wage or a semi-decent restaurant wine—while Vietnam pricing is about where they should be. It’s never stopped me coming (I’m not an alcy), but along with crapola Thai beer and other factors, may figure into others’ plans.

Wish all the rogues would remain in their own countries. People make light of this, but this kind of carry-on won't be good for foreigners in the long run. With all the bad press farang a-holes have been making lately, xenophobes in positions of power here could eventually see this kind of thing as opportunity to crackdown and make life more awkward for all. Just sayin.

Figures, going by the amount of tat posted in one topic. IMO, newbies (many of which are existing niks) should be on probation and have a max post rate of x1 per week for, say, the first 5 years. I hear you, op, it's not what it was here (waaayyy off from 20y ago) and you'd have to be very switched off to not notice even the past couple/three years. Any tax invasion would be a major downer. Still better than the alternative even when putting up with boorish boomers... you know, the gen that bled our countries dry. All the best.

Shorthand is PLok, not Pits. ???? Bit harsh. Yes, op should have ensured estimate before undergoing knife, but, even if you obtain one, it’s not a guarantee that you won’t be ripped.

Well the guy has to be seen to care and score points with the prolls. Reality is the recapture of the hostages by Israel is already a top priority, but he probably didn’t do himself or Thailand any favours by reiterating its neutrality.

Times are tight, people have less money, many return visitors have had their fill/had enough, baht still way overpriced, flights expensive, jittery faux government scaring people off, ensuing WWIII putting people off, cheaper booze at home etc etc etc. A free useless SIM and other superfluous ‘tempters’ won’t get people to come that don’t want to travel.