pineconehead

Wow this is almost like watching the final divestment or stripping of the British Empire, fascinating to see.

As sad or disconcerting these stories may be, I'd rather be homeless there in Thailand, than here where I am. Weather alone would dictate this. I'd love to be able to come work in Thailand, as I age the arthritis alone is telling me what kind of life I am going to be facing in my 50's and 60's. But if I couldn't work, I'd life as best as I could with out the substance abuse.

P.S. Next time this happens, welcome him in, let him look around to his satisfaction and while he does make various requests: a new/better a/c unit/water heater; new paint job, appliance repair etc etc. This will generally trigger a flight response in landlords.

Perfect, everytime he shows up give him a list of "to do". He'll stop coming around right quick.

I think Sheryl has hit the nail square on. Even if it was old biddies nattering away, just being open and inviting might settle his hash. That isn't happening by the sounds of it so he is getting worse. Either change your dealings with him to ways that he can deal with, or move.

As I understand it Thai culture places a little less emphasis on myob, personal space, and privacy in general. I remember the first time the manager of the serviced apartment came walking in to check the water meter, I almost freaked out, but I'd been warned that this sort of thing was to be expected, and that they were likely embarrassed that they'd disturbed me at home.

Sounds like your Landlord doesn't trust you for some reason. Maybe it is time to move. As you point out you aren't Thai, maybe he is trying to tell you he doesn't want non-Thai renters. Maybe you need to ask for someone to find out what his act is about. Remember Thais don't do direct confrontation, so perhaps you need to engage a proxy of some sort to get to what is up for him.

Does he have dogs? maybe there is something going on there.

Well this popped up on my fb page I'll just leave it here and add the google search too, hope no one minds; http://www.sott.net/article/242516-Heart-surgeon-speaks-out-on-what-really-causes-heart-disease and https://www.google.ca/search?q=cardiologist,+arterial+inflammation+not+cholesterol&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&gws_rd=cr&ei=yVjrUraODdChogT0xoHgDA

The plastic bag video was more entertaining

Granted I never made it to pataya the last time I was there, but this advice seems to work where ever I go, "hands in pocket, crank in pants, and stupid look on face, and watch it happen to someone else". YMMV but this has kept me out of endless amounts of distress, and equally entertained at the show we call life as it carries on. Another bit (also world common) is "If it sounds to good to be true, it is too good to be true."

The last time I was in BKK, I got a ride from a motorcycle taxi that was like a fair ground bumper car ride. I got off paid the suicidal nutbar, then he had the audacity to stick his hand out ask me for a tip (after almost getting me killed twice in less than a kilometre), I told him "Wise man say eat no yellow snow", and disappeared into a 7-11, he was still trying to figure it all out when I can back 10 minutes later.

Best fun I had the entire trip.

I agree with the idea of no license no rental; however how many shops will be able to recognize the various vehicular classifications on all the myriad licenses from around the world that they will see. Even if they had the info in a book, (if the shop people could read) it would take them a day or two to figure it all out. They've painted themselves into a corner with this one, because if they do start to apply screws it will give grumpy people a place to point out that the laws are biased, or will have a negative impact on local incomes.

Fail to plan = plan to fail.

Yes, everywhere you go, it cannot be avoided. Same as kangaroos roaming the streets in Sydney.

Surely there are places one can go and not have to deal with that sort of thing?

Tasmania, apparently.

@soi 41; I was thinking something similar. At least Thai people get out in the streets about these things. Here in NA it almost seems that it takes an nuclear explosion to get people out on the street making noise. Our politicians lie to us outrageously, and we sit placidly mesmerized by out tv's and high speed internet gadgets. Pathetic.

I wish them well, and I hope they resolve this by talking.

Was trying to get some pix of a little bird in a tree this morning when an old lady walked up behind me.

She didn't say anything but pointed to the camera and to herself so I got the message.

old lady 2.JPG

old lady face.JPG

Now I have to work out how to get these printed off and find her again to give them to her.

she looks so sad.

Casualbiker's advice is a great place to start. The next bit of information should be to google up the "cellphone operation frequencies" for both Thailand and Canada. But I'll give you a hint, mostly anything you buy either in a store in Thailand like http://www.jaymart.co.th/index.asp this place or MBK (second hand) will often work. Your S3 idea is a pretty good one as there are lots of accessories (cases) for it, and it still has lots of potential (free software to improve functionality) and longevity to it. Just remember to get at least one spare battery. try not to buy from anyplace that's too dodgy.

good luck

He just doesn't understand the system here, and continued to live in false hopes. Had he "turned off the taps", after they separated he might not have wound up in this situation. But I don't know anything about the "alimony" system here in Thailand with mixed nationality marriages. How are those handled by the system (if at all) ?

I won't deny the health benefits from the focused and disciplined activities, nor the cultural tie in's; however this doesn't repatriate the individual. I understand that this isn't the likely goal of the Thai prison system (I also doubt that it is the goal of many if not ALL prison/penitentiary systems). I wonder if the Muay Thai boxing has a lasting effect for the fighters that do gain their freedom. Do they remain free? Do they find independence? Or is this just another example of what I call "face on the surface" ?

I find discussions about the meaning of the word "farang" quite interesting. Not so much for what it means when a Thai person uses it in discussion with or reference to me, but more in your collective reactions. I learn something new everytime.

I think the xenophobic reaction we call racism, is a human trait, one that can be trained out, but never eradicated. I suspect we'd have to have our eyes ears, and sense of touch removed to accomplish that. But then we'd discriminate on smell. so much for my ideas.

I wonder about how the historical context has contributed to the Thai way of viewing others. I mean Thailand's neighbours have had some pretty nasty incidents that may have had a resounding influence on the cultural psyche of the Thai people. Then again considering the socioeconomic/political structure (what little I know of it) of Asia as a whole, xenophobia seems to play a stabilizing role in this society.

I try to deal with my interactions in Thailand, with Thais on an individual basis. The word, is after all a word,and only a word.

Any know places to research? Any known places to avoid?

I hope no one minds me ressurecting a dead thread, I registered to repond to this topic. I was in LOS in '10, and got amazingly (painful) good work at the white elephant in the tesco mall at pra ram gow. My buddy/guide had told me to bring my battered carcass over and he'd hook me up with the real deal Thai massage.

The masuse (sadist) did great work on a current biking injury to my left shoulder, that was making it almost impossible to sleep in my natural possition. While he was at it he also fixed a decade old whiplash injury. Since he was so good I let him go after my legs, which were massively knotted from many years of bike delivery/commuting.

I hope he is still there I need new work.