sambum

Spot on, Geordie lad!

From the OP above:- "The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), despite mounting criticism, stands by this policy, asserting that it has been in place for over 70 years."

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), despite mounting criticism, stands by this policy, asserting that "it has been in place for over 70 years." I was at a Managment Training Course a few years ago, and the instructor said that one of the biggest hurdles to progress in the workplace was "But, we've always done it this way!" Remarkably similar standpoint from the DWP! Just because the system has been in place for over 70 years doesn't necessarily mean that it is right or fair.

Firstly, “How do you work that one out Kwilco that the Brits get longer visas?” was not from me, so address your reply to the correct person, please. Secondly, you highlight a point about visas and then prattle on about the ex military and firearms, as if that somehow makes a "gun culture", while completely ignoring my comments about the strict firearms laws in the UK. Thirdly, in Thailand, from what I have heard over the years (19 coming on 20, by the way), MANY Thai families have unlicensed firearms, and many people are getting shot because of "loss of face (e.g.somebody honks a car horn at them!) Now, THAT is a gun culture! Similarly, I feel that any further discourse with you on this subject is pointless, so don't waste your time by concocting a reply which would no doubt be of the "baiting" type, but if you really NEED to have the last word - go ahead - be my guest!

"We want quality tourists from now on." Too late - visa free entry for Russians and Chinese etc. has already taken its toll. Did somebody not tell TAT that it's quality you want not quantity? - that's all they're interested in, but now you've got the quantity, you want the quality? (Again?) And "Chris Flynn, CEO of the World Tourism Association, suggested that Thai officials appear to have not foreseen the toll the influx could take." No kidding? And the picture accompanying the article will certainly not attract the type of "quality tourist" that is hoped for - more likely tourists like the the gunloving Russian who has just been arrested:-

First you want them - then you don't? Make your mind(s) up! 🙂

OK - back on topic! You probably don't realise that the UK has far stricter gun laws than the US, yet you "tar us with the same brush". The UK does NOT have a culture of carrying or possessing firearms! Did you know (of course you'll say "Yes"!) that in the UK only specially trained police are allowed to carry firearms, and they have to sign them out when they are needed, and hand them back in again after the "incident". Not so in the US where ALL police are armed, and it would appear that the same applies to Thailand - hence the rogue policemen losing it and going out of control.

Even though she has been sexually assaulted and threatened with a firearm, SHE is the one who reported him - therefore a "grass" - granted not a nice description but :- "Definition. a person who informs, usually on criminals. (British, slang)" (In this particular case, it would appear that "victim" could be substituted for "person", but let's test a conspiracy theory:- Girlfriend has been "bought" from a bar, and falls out with the boyfriend over money, so says she has been sexually assaulted. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but are sexual favors not what bar girls provide? The fact that he has firearms all over the place gives her an "edge" so she "grasses" him up? Personally, I'm glad they caught him, the only Russians (or any other foreigner) that have firearms shouldn't be here - their country is at war, and if he has such a liking for firearms I am sure that nice Mr Putin could find him a job?

Errr? Profis from crime?

"I saw a evidence......." and I don't know what I'm talking about! 🤣 I think it's past your bed time! Night night!

You didn't see the 'smiley emoticon' then?

If the Brits have a very close relationship with Thai Immigration, then where is the "reciprocal agreement" between Thailand and Britain/UK regarding annual increments to pensions? 🙂

He's dressed no differently to thousands of other tourists here, which is why he would probably have gone unnnoticed had it not been for someone/his girlfriend reporting him to the police for assault - "A woman scorned ......."!

***WARNING - TROLL ALERT***!!!

Yes,unfortunately, he won't have to deal with the loud, ignorant, rude types with no manners! He'll see the outstretched hands of the diplomats with the smiling faces! (If he's lucky!)

I was in Tesco Lotus yesterday, and a Russian seemed to be complaining loudly that ONE apple that he had brought to the cash out till from the fruit and veg dept didn't have a price on it!

Yes- so she's a "grass"! Your point being?

When I said "Then change the headlines", for the 2nd time - I didn't expect you to do it personally, and I hope I have now made my point clear. And again for the 2nd time, although the post is not about cannabis, I was answereing a question that clearly was referring to cannabis shops i.e. "So opium dens and magic mushroom pizza shops will be the same. Do you really think so?"

Yes!

When I made my comment about the headlines it wasn't levelled at you personally - it was at the people who write the headlines! And my comment about cannabis shops was in reply to Dinsdale who said:- "So opium dens and magic mushroom pizza shops will be the same. Do you really think so?"

In LOS anything is possible! Did you think 5 years ago that they would be selling cannabis openly in multitudes of shops across Thailand?

Then change the headlines to be more representative of the article! Th marijuana shops did!

Th marijuana shops did!

I'm not confused - far from it, and anybody from the UK who reads your post must agree with at least part of the content. I do agree regarding the politicians - IMHO opinion, the mess that the country is in - from the Prime Minister (Rishi Shunak) to the Mayor of London (Sadiq Khan) is due to the fact that decisions are made without considering the benefits, ( pun intended!) in favour of making decisions that might not offend some "members" of the British public. The "Nanny State" is a reality where thousands of immigrants are so desperate to get there that hundreds of them have died over the years in the attempt to cross the Channel from France to the UK - another 5 have died today. However, the article is about somebody getting their car stuck in the sand in Phuket, and the consequences, so we are maybe going a bit "off road" with this discussion!

Yeah, in a different country, different road conditions, different weather conditions , DIFFERENT CAR! At least no one was hurt or injured - as could quite easily have happened if the conditions had made him VEER off in a different direction. And I have lived here for nearly 20 years and seen idiotic driving at its best/worst, but I don't know the full story - or do you, and the fact that it didn't affect anyone else is irrelevant, and to call him "total loser" is IMHO inappropriate when you don't know the facts. To digress slightly, I had a guy overtake me on my motor bike today on the way to my local Tesco Lotus, (Topless "Farang" on a "Big Bike with no helmet -you know the type!) who had his right hand indicator flashing as if he was turning right (as you would expect!) But no, he VEERS left causing me to brake suddenly, and he cuts in front of a car who is also turning right - causing him to brake suddenly, and accelerates rapidly to the LEFT, while his indicator is still flashing RIGHT! Now THAT is a loser who should end up facing a hefty fine, but no, it ain't gonna happen because "The Plod" are nowhere to be seen, and if they were, it would involve taking witness statements, checking CCTV cameras that "no work", and who gives a f**k anyway - it's too hot to get upset - "Chill man" - TIT!"!