sambum

4 hours ago, Modern Coding said:

Well, time for you to go to bed, kid!

I'm not a child, or even a baby "GOAT", but I do get bored with these "if you don't like it -  go home" posts.

Nothing or nowhere is perfect, andf I don't expect it to be, but that still doesn't mean that if I'm not happy about a particular situation or statement, I should just "put up or shut up"!

2 hours ago, Modern Coding said:

 

Personally, after witnessing Songkran, I don't hold much of it.

There are many things that I find annoying, as someone who has to work 7 days a week.

(I would probably see it differently if I had Thai children and no need to work).

 

Nevertheless, I fully agree to everything you state: as a guest among hosts who actually did not invite me, I am not to judge local traditions, I am just to keep my opinions for myself, just saying to myself that next year, I will think about traveling abroad.

 

While I find some aspects of Thailand annoying - but which country is perfect?... - I find grumpy expats and entitled boomers always criticizing every sh*t even more annoying!

Like expats are normally told in every country I have been living in: if you don't like it, leave! Period!

 

"grumpy expats and entitled boomers"

" If you don't like the way Thailand does things go back where you came from." 

".....if you don't like it, leave!"

Yawn and double yawn and even triple yawn!!!

5 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

6 against 1 again. Cowardly drunken scumbags.

 

. 

 

 

 

 

Par for the course - it just makes a change for the Thais to be shown as the "Bad Boys" in the media, instead of the deluge of bad press foreigners have been getting recently!

Or maybe it's just a token gesture - what's the odds that the next person/persons misbehaving  will be listed as "foreign" in the headlines on AN?

17 hours ago, Northstar1 said:

From the UK no doubt 

TROLL!

18 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

What about Brits, Yanks and Aussies...  ????     I suppose Swiss and Kiwi's too now... 

 

 

Indians only need be highlighted in Ladyboy necklace snatches on beach road Pattaya ??????

17 hours ago, Northstar1 said:

From the UK no doubt 

TROLL!

2 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

Is it not more likely they will do a Makro and put western food prices up, ie tins of Ayam baked beans and tins of spam? Then blame foreign wars as an excuse.

"Then blame foreign wars as an excuse." The last can to carry the blame for price hikes and delays in delivery was Covid-19.

Any prospective reductions in the price of imported wine will probably meet the same fate - despite the lowering of import taxes and duties.

4 hours ago, Webfoot said:

There seems to be a lot of missing information to this story.

Like a suitable photo to accompany the story - a photo of a vest on a policeman's back does not convey much information!

2 hours ago, Olmate said:

 Funny? thats so insensitive of you to think that, seriously give your sick inquisition a break! Morbid  much!! 

OK - English is a "funny" language - maybe I should have said "surprisingly"?

"Sick inquisition"? "Morbid much"? 😕 I was merely pointing out that in this country it is not unusual  for personal items of value to be taken/stolen in circumstances that woud be considered "taboo" in my old home country.

"Boontob pointed out the lack of awareness among Thais about alcohol’s effects, particularly impaired decision-making while driving."

The way some of them drive it would appear to be irrelevant if they've been drinking or not!

40 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Not difficult to understand. In December sales tripled or even quadrupled.🙏

April’s alcohol sales are set to double in comparison to other months, except for December where they traditionally triple or even quadruple

Better?

"The CEO of Carabao Group, Sathien Sathientham, predicts that April’s alcohol sales are set to double, except for December."

Am I reading that right? 😕

10 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Could be hat they didn't know how much money he had on him, if any , so wouldn't know if any money was missing 

I see your point about the quantity, but I think that there is a high possibility that he had some cash on him even if it was a tragic accident.

I know that anyone on a night out carries cash to pay for their evening's entertainment, and I think it doubtful that the reason why he went home alone/missing was because he had no money left!

4 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Ditto, dead or alive, takes money to bring the boys home as noted  several times in this thread, way back before you woke up and posted your fake concern Sambo old son! 

B*****s!

1 hour ago, cnx101 said:

And his missing phone

Phones can go missing in all kinds of circumstances - from road accidents when the victim is being tended by medics, even from hospital bedside lockers when the patient is taken to a different Dept for treatment (X Rays etc)

" Police believe he had been in the drain for several hours before he was located. His phone is said to have also been missing."

Funny how there is no report from the police about his money/wallet???

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.