PaiMei

...

Gays have been discriminated against horribly in the past so there's a sensitivity there that can go overboard.

...

In the past?

Oh my God, I can't even believe I'm reading this.

So let me get this straight, gay people are not discriminated against anymore as a class of people?

Gay people in the USA (not to mention Russia, Uganda, etc.) now enjoy equal civil rights under the laws?

Is that really what you wanted to suggest?

Hopefully the next generations can take an arrogant and clueless statement like yours as something even approaching real, not now. not even close!

Maybe some people see shows like GLEE and conclude gay teens in the USA aren't still getting their asses kicked everyday in school just for being gay, and many STILL being driven to suicide by a homophobic culture especially in regions dominated by fundamentalist Christian hate dogma. Yes, it IS getting better, but it's not nearly GOOD ENOUGH yet.

America (which is where this is happening), especially in LA, NYC, etc - discrimination against gays was horrible in the past and that environment has grown significantly more tolerant.

Perhaps tolerance is something u could ask yourself of sir in addition to slinging accusations. My friends are quite comfortable with me,

Edit: asked a good friend to look at my post critically and his quote was that you had some anger and I should disengage from the dialog. Which I'm gonna do.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

This CEO contributed $1,000 in support of a law in 2008 that took the exact same position on gay marriage that both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton espoused at the time. Forcing him to resign is absolutely ridiculous.

And a lot has changed in the 6 years since then. I am not sure about Hilary, but Obama has since shown enthusiastic support for equality laws. Possibly if Mr. Eich had done the same, he would still be in his job.

But think about it - why would Mozilla pander to a minority if they felt that the weight of public opinion was either with Mr. Eich or nonplussed? Clearly, they believe that society, on the whole, finds his views to be objectionable.

Actually during the 2008 election, while coming out generally in favor of gay rights Obama came out specifically against gay marriage: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/11/obama-on-mtv-i/

And then there's the whole Duck Dynasty thing.

Look, it can be tricky walking the line between folks religious or philosophical beliefs as they translate into cultural institutions vs. protecting groups outside of the majority or mainstream. (Or even in the mainstream depending on the situation).

Gays have been discriminated against horribly in the past so there's a sensitivity there that can go overboard. I don't see this guy as being patently hateful or against gays - when you go into areas like marriage you're dealing with traditional influences (right or wrong) and playing in traditions's backyard. Personally I"m against straight people getting married, most of the time someone is getting exploited, but that's another topic.

Anyway, the point is - there's nothing to indicate this guy has a hateful agenda. Pick your battles, this one isn't worth it and it may serve to do the opposite - trivialize the very real discrimination gays have suffered in comparison.

Have the same card and oddly enough did use it at a 7-11 in Los Angeles one time fresh off the plane, had no problem. I used it to pay for a hot dog and coke and then out of curiosity walked over to the ATM and it worked there too.

Have also used it - once - on Amazon to purchase a gift and have it delivered in the states, and it worked - though the exchange rate employed by Amazon was horrible. If memory serves I also had to put in a stateside billing address and entered my old one - it was accepted.

Mac OS (currently OS X) is basically Unix. If you delve into the command line or things like 'services' the range of things you can do is exponentially more broad than anything I've experienced with windows (and I'm not a fanboy). I've heard mac users called elitist and snobs before but never average... that's a new one.

For the past couple decades right up to this moment it's been both the hardware and software of preference for working in the arts (film, graphics, music). There is a reason for that and it won't change anytime soon.

Anyway, whatever works best for you is... best. But am skeptical about the 'average' comment. Good for a chuckle though.... and that's always a good thing.

Hey - can't one appreciate Som Tam and women both and not be middle aged? I happen to really really like Som Tam Lao and resent the inference bucko!

I think starting late 90s and continuing for the next decade or so there was an exponential increase in forums & forum activity covering... just about everything. A lot of that has dried up, including many Thai forums that were once thriving.

For whatever reason, this one still is (thriving). I'd take that as a healthy sign and you can get good info here, I've certainly been saved some grief in reference to Thai banking and immigration thanks to accurate info disseminated here (and inaccurate info being questioned).

So, hey....

Fortune Mall, basement, not bad, Don Meung airport - quite good.

Is that Fortune mall Pra Ram 9? Sidenote: the best Food court Tom Yum I've ever had was there adjacent to Lotus.

Have had Khao Soi at basement food court below Robinson's at Asoke and it was good. Now that everyone goes to Terminal the Robinson's food court doesn't get heavy traffic which is nice.

btw - Most of the time avoid food courts (eg, Paragon - just too damn annoying) but the above are pleasant exceptions.

To the O/P I would say that you are not "fresh meat" and the only trap you need to worry about is listening to cranky old farang who assume everyone is as clueless and helpless as they are. If you've been browsing these forums for awhile, you probably are aware that high pitched whining and moaning is an unfortunate constant on many threads..

Over the top rude and uncalled for. Advice to spend 6 months in country prior to making a more permanent commitment is sound. Will also give you a better idea of where to go.

OP: Just returned to my own country after after spending a year in the kingdom to test the waters and travel. Didn't intend on volunteering but did anyway to help a friend and it was a bit anarchic. Fortunate to have a job where I can work remotely and will return to Thailand in 2016 for several years as long as life doesn't gum up the works - my outlook now is much different than it was 18 months ago. Explore the country and feel it out for yourself, then make the big decisions. And good luck

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Will be in Bangkok for longer than the typical two week excursion. Though it's business, plan on having a social life too, and though alcohol is evil like to have a wee bit every now and then. Except - this time actually paying attention to cost and where the best deals/places are - subjective though it may be.

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

I cant help feeling sorry for them. They live in a cesspool of deceit, drugs, exploitation and ignorance. Difficult for even a saint to rise out of it...

Parliament House of Thailand has nothing to do with this conversation.

I'm confused here what did he say about parliament

Sorry, was sarcasm. Inference being that "deceit, drugs, exploitation, and ignorance" could just as easily be a reference to Parliament members as to bargirls.

Sarcasm not pointed at the tragic loss of life, and it is horrible.

I cant help feeling sorry for them. They live in a cesspool of deceit, drugs, exploitation and ignorance. Difficult for even a saint to rise out of it...

Parliament House of Thailand has nothing to do with this conversation.

ear plugs...or headphones......wear these at coffee shops...they give a strong FO message.

wear headphones > 50% of time outdoors, they're actually playing something maybe 10% of time.

Back up escape plan - where possible - go to the hongnam and read TV while relaxing in the stall (on phone).

Like I'm doing now.

iPhone. Probably errors. Dreadfully sorry.

For the first 50 years my life in the UK was worthless tedium.

My last 5 years in Thailand have made the whole thing worthwhile, if I die tomorrow, no problem.

(But another 5 years like the last 5 would be really good)

I hope you get another 50.

Close to 40 and it has begun to sink in that time and resources are in fact limited and the future is not wide open. I don't know if its that I fear death, but would fight against it tooth and nail right now. Too much hasn't been done, or seen, or even said to people i care about. Don't fear death as much as I'm pissed off about it. You learn all these things and then... bam. What a jip.

Sent from iPhone. Errors in grammar or judgement are excused. Dreadfully sorry.

There's very little in your post that isn't based on wild amusing projections of who you imagine i am...that you couldn't possibly know based on my posts...meaning that you entirely made them up out of air...and your pomposity and condescension is unbelievable. You've painted a very interesting and detailed picture of me in your mind based on a few pixels...grand assumptions that of course you don't doubt, which shows a stunning lack of modesty and an unawareness that when it comes to who I am and the degree that I'm "focused on art", you are clueless. Why are you even talking, baby?

I'll respond to the quote below because it is on topic...

The problem he and some quiet others have is that your question has an identity crisis, and people are trying to tell you in a friendly way that an artist community in the sense that you perceive it doesn't really exist in Bangkok.

There's very little in my post at all. It'll stay that way. Show me the art.

Good luck. No sarcasm. You've got a little fire and ego, good. You'll need it. The other stuff is garbage, but you're not wholly irredeemable. There are several thousand 'arty' people in bangkok, but a small amount of artists producing work, and they're much more severe than I. Or Razell. Oh yes. You'll ignore my advice, but it's simply this - go explore the city and find what works. And then do. Don't try. Do.

As the great Confucius once said in a moment of illumination: chok dee son

What all this problems mean to me is that it will cause me to reach my goal to earn 5 or 10 millions bahts at a slower rate (over the 2 years timeframe). If your thai girlfriend exhibits similar problems like these, please share your experience whether you succeed in changing these sorts of behaviours and mindsets.

Thank you pals!

Are you really in a position to save 10 laan baht over 2 years? And your gf knowa this - no wonder you're getting ultimatums. Is it all going to end, or are you now in some sisyphean cycle where the next demand awaits?

Be careful. btw - ummm, where you work - are they hiring?

Sent from iPhone. Errors in grammar or judgement are excused. Dreadfully sorry.

I can't imagine what it is about my OP that triggered your interest in my motives, financials, and life history. Short version: I've travelled (not touristed) around the world, hitchhiking, trekking, boat, and train, frequently to remote places more times than I can count w/ only a small backpack. I'm no stranger to squat toilets, extreme poverty, village life, and intestinal parasites. I'm equally comfortable on a yellow brick road or a rope mountain bridge.I've lived in a corrugated sheet metal shack and a 4k a month flat and everything in between. I'm intelligent enough to attend to visa requirements. I'm moving to BKK because I've never been there and because I live my life as an adventure.

You sound really annoying.

Some quality piss-taking on this thread Pseudolus and others...

And you sound really off topic...which most people find annoying.

Actually you're lucky people haven't been a lot more vicious than Razell. You should send him a thank you PM for trying to keep things balanced. The idea of helping out a newcomer and promoting the arts in BKK appeals to a lot of folks. I hope none of them get taken advantage of.

The problem he and some quiet others have is that your question has an identity crisis, and people are trying to tell you in a friendly way that an artist community in the sense that you perceive it doesn't really exist in Bangkok. Also your intense focus on the importance of this social setting opposed to a genuine body of work is a red flag for those more critically minded.

Maybe if you were a little more modest, and focused more on art per se, opposed to promoting 'street credibility' with some questionable claims.

Khao San Road is indeed the place for you to find like minded individuals and your community. Bangkok will teach you about life, perhaps not in the sense that you think, but hopefully in way that is meaningful.

Good luck.

"Sing along with the common people.

Sing along, and it might just get you thru.'

Laugh along with the common people.

Laugh along, even though they're laughing at you

and the things that you do

'cause you think that poor, is cool..."

I agree that she shouldn't have come up with a lame story because she was out late partying, but it wasn't assault either...

I'll take a strike to the face and a handful of stitches any day of my life over a false accusation of rape.

There are serious issues with corruption and violence in Phuket, making light of what she did won't help address that.

Was looking at this school. Good to know. Thx.

My impression is that it's very common for women to do this in conversation, especially if they're speaking with anyone who isn't a close friend or family. Now with males (outside of the soaps) - have heard it a handful of times, kinda rare, but does occur.

For consistency, I always refer to myself simply as the king of all falang.

Mr. Alexander Milbourn aged 24 and Mr. Shaun Edward Tracy aged 34 who were both unemployed and had resided in Pattaya for the last 10 years.

So Alexander has resided in Pattaya since he was 14? I know they said those Brit Pattayaites were demographically getting younger, but, geeeeeez.

"Sometimes, it's easy to be myself. Sometimes... I find it better to be somebody else"

- Dave Matthews

(going by memory, forgive if a little botched)

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app.

In Los Angeles I knew several folks that traveled to a destination in Asia at any opportunity, along with a few friends teaching in Japan and Korea. Eventually they influenced me. In the Midwest where I spent a big chunk of adolescence I knew exactly none that had been to anywhere in Asia.

Definitely not an America hater - appreciate what it has to offer and I love the republic of California.

That said - a lot of the criticism pointed at the US is well deserved. Most Americans are notoriously ignorant of world geography and wouldn't be able to identify SE Asia on a simple map. And don't even think about discussing Int'l affairs if it doesn't revolve around the US (usually terrorism). This IS rather dull. Hopefully not permanent.

Brits/Europeans show a hell of a lot more 'global sophistication' or whatever u want to call it

Too bad their (Brit) food does suck.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app.

Hope you make it back medicine box. Rooting for ya.

Or maybe they are just responding to some of the crap written on TV, and without slang old chap a language would never develop....further I believe you are getting insults and sarcasm mixed up..There are a lot of sarcastic/dry sense of humour posters on TV

Great sarcasm, biting wit is a great British tradition al la Oscar Wilde and simlilar...in the modern day this tradition has been carried on by the likes of Jezze Clarkson....

Yeah right

Sorry the British gay bashing brigade we have here? Making reference to Oscar Wilde?

What gay bashing brigade... Please direct me to any content....whether Oscar Wilde was gay or not has absolutely no relevance to his literary output and his biting wit...

Brit wit can be a beautiful thing. And Oscar Wilde is the bad mutha-f*cka of all Brit wit. He is an interesting example to use in this particular thread though. I don't know the story rote, but if memory serves from the uni classes a few moons ago, he did die penniless and depressed - having been convicted of being Gay, then jailed and exiled from Victorian England and treated as a social pariah afterwards. OK that's a gross simplification, but is the general gist.

Not to endorse speech control. I don't, and don't believe Wilde would either. But people can be frail things and have weak points, much as we may delude ourselves. OTOH, you do need to be thick-skinned to get through life intact, and speech controls are hardly the answer to <deleted>. And there's a little asshol_e in all of us.

So what's the point?

I forgot.

Sure, the owner is an ass. Sure, it's a stupid move on his part, in a mall that is popular with foreigners.

So what? Who is he or she hurting except for himself and his business, particularly when the very next booth sells the very same crap and he will lose out?

What do you want to do? Complain to the Human Rights Commission?

Better still, why not picket the shop and persuade all the foreigners not to shop there?

Forgive any typos or logical inconsistencies, I interrupted a furious letter writing session to Project Hope Thailand, The Buddha Dhamma Foundation, and Amnesty International ---> in order to retort.

I agree with what you say. I just got a chuckle out of the attack dogs letting loose on those calling this guy out for his sign. Talk about drama queens. I mean we have guys writing PhD dissertation length posts extolling the critics not to get their panties in a twist. So who is generating the more fuss? And why?

Thailand expats are always an interesting group. There's a lot of loathing and always a struggle for fellas to outdo each other in condemning the other 'farang.' The backpackers, the old guys, the pattaya guys, the russians, the soccer hooligans, the sexpats, the tourists, the non-thai language learners, the too-much-thai language learners. And so forth.

And that's what this thread is about for some folks under the guise of critiquing political correctness. Just a way to get in a dig at the others. In this case politically correct strawmen that don't exist.

I'm just sad I'm out of the country right now and might not make it back in time for the photo op.

btw - I like reading your posts Bendix. You're kinda an anti-social, social person.

Cheers.