sambum

11 hours ago, Olmate said:

Just noticed reported happened March 18th, probably go fund me appeal on now! 

Stupid insensitive comment! The guy is DEAD! Think about your post before you hit the "Send" button.

3 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

But your neck of the woods isn't the location referenced in your OP and the object of your knickers, or diapers, soiling. What Chinese in your neck of the woods were expecting to go around soaking people for 3 weeks--in your fantasy, as only one is known to have started early? TAT's successful brainwave applies to the entire country, in particular places in the country as listed here:

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/03/celebrating-unesco-listed-songkran-in-thailand-and-other-festivals-throughout-april-2024/

 

 

 

Since it seems this year's extended Songkran was successful throughout the country generally, in the areas listed here:

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/03/celebrating-unesco-listed-songkran-in-thailand-and-other-festivals-throughout-april-2024/

 

so I informed you--for the sake of your knickers--that they're just going to follow the same brainwave next year, which, as it turns out, has nothing to do with you anyway, LOL. Just needed a little attention, I guess.

 

All clear now?

 

I didn't mention any location in my OP as well you know, and I find your tone merely argumentative! ("Knickers or diapers soiling"? "...for the sake of your knickers..." which, as it turns out, has nothing to do with you anyway" Is there really any need for such childish baiting?

I've already intimated that "It's all over now", but you seem determined to extend this by posting in a manner that you know is likely to offend, and by singing the praises of TAT and their achievements in the hope of getting a response.  

Well, like a lot of posters, you really must have the last word mustn't you? Well "Have I got news for you?" Bye bye - "Auf Wiedersehn Pet" you are now "Ignored"

3 hours ago, BigStar said:

 

Only til next year. Then, the same extended Songkran, as you'll see. Heard it here first. 🙂 

But we didn't have an "Extended Songkran" in our "neck of the woods"! And I don't expect we will have next year!

Remember - heard it here first!!! 😀

18 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

Well, the truth hurts, don't it? Just gon' have to suck it up, pal. As I do--I don't care for Songkran either, like all long-term expats in Pattaya. Be great if they abolished it except for the classic Thai cultural bit w/ the monks and all.

"Well, the truth hurts, don't it?" ? I ain't gonna bite or suck anything!!

As the song goes, as far as my home goes "It's all over now" Back to normality!

46 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

We know of ONE Chinese, obviously confused but w/o sign of being upset.

 

No evidence of anything "awry."

 

Anyone who looks at the schedule can see what activities are scheduled during this year's extended Songkran period in the area they're visiting--and note that they are various ceremonies, shows, presentations, etc.

 

Pattaya's extended 9-day water throwing should be the only real surprise, but after all it doesn't go on for the entire month. Anyone reading about Pattaya beforehand should be aware it's unique. 

 

So far tourism seems up and this year's extended Songkran on track to be a success. The new format will probably continue going forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Government seemed to deem it necessary to apologise for the confusion that the annoucement by themselves and TAT caused - that's how clear it was to everybody! And another publication reported "widespread panic" among the ex pat community!

However, like Songkran in my neck of the woods, this difference of opinion is "all played out", so I won't be making any further comment except to say that I hope that your heroes at TAT are pleased with your performance:-

"So far tourism seems up and this year's extended Songkran on track to be a success. The new format will probably continue going forward." Spoken like a true loyal employee!

7 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

You said it well. The AN boomers don't like it because they are old and extremely grumpy and generally hate their lives here. Songkran is a time of happiness and fun. I just got home from a few hours around Bangkok with my son - my 28th Songkran and still love it. You see the occasional old doddery boomer getting angry but that just makes it more fun. Either go with the flow and join the fun or stay at home and be miserable, don't combine the two. Songkran is a pretty special festival for more than 99% of people. 

"The AN boomers don't like it because they are old and extremely grumpy and generally hate their lives here."

Old I may be, and maybe grumpy at times, but I -  and probably thousands of others - certainly don't hate our lives here. In most cases (99%?) we prefer life here, but we are "entitled" to have our opinions about things that we don't agree with (as mentioned many times on AN!) 

And I find the fact that you find it entertaining that "an old doddery boomer" (what is that by the way?) gets angry quite telling of your personality. You probably find it entertaining to see a motorcyclist get knocked off his bike by a bucket full of water in the face? I suppose that "makes it more fun"?

And the REAL meaning of Songkran:-

Songkran
New Year celebration, Rot Nam Dam Hua, a traditional celebration of elders
Official name	Songkran Festival
Observed by	Thailand
Significance	Marks the Thai New Year
Begins	13 April
Ends	15 April
Date	April 13
Frequency	Annual
Related to	South and Southeast Asian solar New Year

Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
People performing water pouring on Buddha statues during Songkran in Wat Pho, Bangkok

Thank you for your understanding!

3 hours ago, BigStar said:

 

No, your brainwaves have confused WATER FESTIVAL with WATER THROWING. The FESTIVAL is a bunch of newly added events around the country. The official Wan Lai days have remained the same as they've always been.

 

Read the announcement from TAT and the list of events throughout the country at the link:

 

Songkran in Thailand is officially observed as a three-day national holiday from 13-15 April, although celebrations can take place at different time and go on for longer. Here’s only some of the Songkran festivals in Bangkok and the five regions that we have selected for tourists to enjoy.

 

In celebration of the ‘Songkran in Thailand’ being recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, nationwide celebrations are set to be even more amazing to illustrate the rich culture and tradition of the Thai New Year.

     --https://www.tatnews.org/2024/03/celebrating-unesco-listed-songkran-in-thailand-and-other-festivals-throughout-april-2024/

"No, your brainwaves have confused WATER FESTIVAL with WATER THROWING."

Well, I have lived here for nearly 20 years and if my "brainwaves have confused WATER FESTIVAL with WATER THROWING", then I wonder how confused the tourists visiting for "Songkran in Thailand" are? Maybe it should be renamed as "Even more amazing confusing Thailand".

I would also like to suggest that the "even more amazing nationwide celebrations" are far from being "amazing" - more like an  Oktoberfest street party with water being thrown about instead of beer!

18 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Some related articles:

"Phuket Revokes Swiss Man's Elephant Foundation License," March 11 in Phuket News.

• "Phuket officials are moving to cancel the license of an elephant foundation owned by Urs Fehr, a Swiss national after he reportedly assaulted a Thai woman on a beach. The action, confirmed by Governor Sophon Suwannarat"

"Phuket’s Elephant Sanctuary Controversy: Urs Fehr’s License Revoked amid Wildlife Conservation Concerns"

By editorial team March 10, 2024 by CTN News

• "The sanctuary itself, boasting 14 elephants and sprawling over 40,000 square meters near Surin Beach"
• Governor Sophon Suwannarat announced that investigators had discovered that Urs Fehr’s Green Elephant Sanctuary Park was being utilized illegally and that its license would be cancelled.

"Swiss Man Has License to Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket Revoked," published March 10, 2024 

• "According to Governor Sophon, the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park has 14 elephants, 13 of which are hired 13 and one brought from the northern province of Phrae." (my bold)

"Phuket officials are moving to cancel the license ....."

Of course, these things take time, what with all the paperwork to fill in, and mulling over all the different options of how to make some money out of it, while appearing to be doing the "right thing" so that the image of the country is not affected?

6 hours ago, Somrak said:

This Thai Junior "Doc" should BE investigatet and the about she not get hurt prosecuted!

Pardon?

22 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Fishy indeed.

"He finally opened the sanctuary with five pachyderms but it cost him all his savings. 

Slowly, the park is making a profit through half-day tours where visitors pay 2,500 Baht to bathe with elephants and get their photos taken. The money is immediately invested in the rescue of new animals."

If he spent all his savings, and all income from the "sanctuary" is reinvested in it, where does the money for a luxury villa and expensive cars come from?

"If he spent all his savings, and all income from the "sanctuary" is reinvested in it, where does the money for a luxury villa and expensive cars come from?"

Good point!

8 hours ago, AreYouGerman said:

 

Fun for everybody, even for you, on your balcony! 🥰

Nah, not fun for everybody, not fun for me - my balcony is down a leafy soi far away from the "Madding Crowd", and going by a few of the comments on here, it is not fun for them either.

As I said earlier, it used to be fun, now it's a nightmare, made even worse by TAT's ridiculous idea of extending it to 21 days in some kind of attempt to "boost tourism". Are they thinking of trying to turn it into some  kind of bizarre "roadshow" travelling the country for 21 days?

The only "boost" I can think of is the increasing of the pharmacies' profits due to the sales of meds to counter effect the results of ingesting dirty water, "red eye",  and the resultant "sniffles" from the effects of the buckets of iced water.     

36 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

No, it's basically the same brainwave they have yearly w/ an added day and more events planned as it rolls around to different areas. It will successful in its own way. Unfortunately.

 

 

Seems to me there was a report of ONE Chinese guy who misunderstood. No Chinese including him have reported any emotional upset, just your imagination. I get it that you don't like Songkran.

 

 

Thank you for sharing. Many expats and even touists avoid the water throwing. In Pattaya it's difficult to stay inside for 9 days. However, conditions have much improved in recent years so travel by motorbike (for shopping, restos, etc.) is pretty safe if you manage to avoid passing by any concentration of beer bars.

 

Next.

 

 

 

No, it's not the same brainwave - according to the publication that can not be name on here, the Min of Tourism & Sports and TAT announced on Mar 12 that the 3 WEEK MAHA SONGKRAN WATER FESTIVAL would begin on April 1st in Chiang Mai and wrap up on Apr 21 in Chon Buri and Samut Prakan (which is open to being misconstrued/misunderstood due to the poor wording)

The Chinese guy was upset, poor thing because he had nobody to play with! (Not just my imagination!)

And I used to like Songkran about 15 years ago, but I admit, I don't like what Songkran has become due to irresponsible behaviour from a few ill informed "farangs" who continue to "fight" long after sundown!

However, I'm pleased that things have improved for you in Pattaya, but I do think that 9 days is far too long - IMHO 2 to 3 is enough!

Next! 🙂

49 minutes ago, arick said:

Imagine all the fungal and crouch (joke itch) rot that he has in between his legs

Yuk!

20 hours ago, rexpotter said:

Agreed, is she seriously injured? Has she lost her ability to walk? Or to function physically any differently than prior to the hit in the back?

My God, drop it. Let the system deal with it how it normally gets dealt with. Whats the point? She will not change this system.

 "Let the system deal with it how it normally gets dealt with."

One could argue that "how it normally gets dealt with" is for the case to hang around until an offer of money is accepted.

Where's the "Pointing Finger" when you need it?

"Kershaw issued an apology for his inappropriate action in the public place and claimed that he acted under the influence of alcohol."

Good old standard British excuse for misbehaving and getting caught - at least he didn't blame cannabis! 

Makes a change to have 2 "Top Stories" running side by side that are about Thais!

One about a Thai lady behaving badly by "vaping" on a plane in Chiang Mai - naughty lady, but not exactly crime of the century!

The other about the fact that  "Thai people ranked #1 in Asia’s list of top shaggers"

Who knows - maybe in the next few days we might see a top story about a Thai behaving REALLY badly - like walking naked on Krabi Beach and getting a 500(0) baht fine for doing so! 🙂 

On 4/8/2024 at 6:29 AM, Jing Joe said:

The behavour of drunks has been historicaly predictable and feel sorry for the guy, but whats with all the foreigners making mostly disruptive news in Thailand lately?

They're not reporting any news about Thais!

"Phuket hotel evicts foreigner who threatened taxi driver with knives"

I think if I was confronted by a taxi driver with knives I would threaten him as well! 🤣

1 minute ago, JCauto said:

Seems everyone missed the interesting part - what's all this about plus-sized women sex parties? Quite a throw-in there at the end.

 

Perhaps like this story, the writer was just chewing the fat.

They've done that once or twice recently "Related news" when it's not related at all - apart from the fact that sex seems to be involved! 

4 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Not the same, they let Soi dogs have group sex in the streets, and I thought that we weren't considered as humans, not in the Thai sense at least.

Correct - we are "aliens"! At least that's what it says in the application for extension of stay!

9 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Gawd, What sort of sick people go to these plus size, obese, old women parties? 

 

Plus size obese old women? Or plus size obese old men?

2 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

There is every possibility that some of these " Senior Military " people will be wanted by the ICC for War Crimes.

Does Thailand wish to be seen aiding these monsters ?

It has also been reported that the flights were to also carry out " Important Documentation "

" Important Documentation " or "Incriminating Evidence"?

1 minute ago, Conno said:

Standing at checkouts while people fiddle with phones will be the least of our problems if people do a Covid and accept everything that is pushed on them. Anyway, thx for the apology, it's a rare thing to read on this forum lol. 

No plomplem! I'm also a Quizmaster (QM) and contrary to what other QM's say - the QM is not always right, and if I'm wrong, I'll admit it!