Spock

Go you gibbons!

I arrive in Cambodia tomorrow and this article is a timely reminder of the c**t that rules that country and oppresses its people. What a shame someone has not come up with a successful method to rid Cambodia of this piece of shit of a leader. 'An affair with a hairdresser' is hardly a politically relevant matter, except to someone like Hun Sen, who is himself guilty of the worst of crimes against the opposition and humanity in general.

If you don't like the thread topic then don't read the replies or comment. I thought the topic was quite OK and something I could relate to from personal experience.

If you don't like the replies, don't read them or comment. See how easy it is to use your playground logic? Grow up.

These 'Inspire' topics are propaganda trolling and spinning to cast Thailand in a light that's already faded.

What absolute crap. The article is about learning Thai through conversing with ordinary people, in particular taxi drivers. It is not an 'inspire' article. And I hardly see what 'grow up' has to do with my comment. I just get sick of the desire of some posters to rip into anything that doesn't fit their negative agenda.

I see that... However, most posters are probably well balanced... They see an abundance of positive things in Thailand which is why they are living here, they also see great deal of negative things and would like to see improvement... much in the same way as Thai's do.

Of course, there are some overly negative, bitter and sadly twisted individuals who like to troll, however, a thread regarding taxi's brings out an abundance of negatively charged comments from numerous balanced posters for one very simple reason - Our experiences with Taxi's for the most part are generally negative.

I've been keeping sort of a mental running tally... Turn downs, poor driving, attempts at overcharging, refusal of meter etc... things I'm not happy with - I'm probably running at 7 negative experiences per 1 positive....

Others don't have these issues such as Soi Biker who made an interesting thread a while back which identified that it is perhaps location and time which more greatly influences negative experiences. I'm in central Sukhumvit so I guess thats a factor.

One things is for sure... My experiences of Taxi drivers (which of course differs from others) is most definitely not a positive one - In fact its a surprise to me when things run 'normally' without issue.

And, No... its not an easy Job for Taxi drivers, conditions are fairly poor, some passengers are probably quite impolite, but hey, my job isn't all roses either, we all work hard.

So, with balance in mind - I don't really agree with the article... I had some very good conversations with Taxi drivers, a very small percentage... but most are juvenile... "You have Thai Wife?... From Isaan? You like Boom Boom, I take you lady now"..... Its tiresome...

As you say, the area you live in will have a large influence over your view of taxi drivers. I understand fully your perspective living in Sukhumvit. Out in the sticks, the conversations with drivers are less sexually orientated and more pleasant and not one driver has refused to use a meter. Foreigners are more of a novelty out this way and drivers genuinely more curious and friendly. However your reply is perfectly reasonable and welcome in the context of the thread.

If you don't like the thread topic then don't read the replies or comment. I thought the topic was quite OK and something I could relate to from personal experience.

If you don't like the replies, don't read them or comment. See how easy it is to use your playground logic? Grow up.

These 'Inspire' topics are propaganda trolling and spinning to cast Thailand in a light that's already faded.

What absolute crap. The article is about learning Thai through conversing with ordinary people, in particular taxi drivers. It is not an 'inspire' article. And I hardly see what 'grow up' has to do with my comment. I just get sick of the desire of some posters to rip into anything that doesn't fit their negative agenda.

I speak enough Thai to get around and have a basic conversation. I agree wholeheartedly with the article and have had enjoyed many opportunities to practice Thai with Taxi drivers. I have found all but one or two to be very honest and had several return me more change than required. Admittedly most of my rides have been in the less touristed Rangsit and Pathum Thani areas. The criticism of the OP is totally unjustified. Some posters just look for things to criticise. If you don't like the thread topic then don't read the replies or comment. I thought the topic was quite OK and something I could relate to from personal experience.

Three posters in particular - chiang mai, Roobuk and Metapod - clearly indicate that their life and Thai experience have taught them absolutely nothing about justice and acceptable public behaviour. Their views belong to another much earlier and far more primitive era. Thankfully their opinions are not representative of the average farang, nor of the majority of Thai people who would find their defence of Thai macho brutality and loss of face excuse irrelevant to this situation. As human beings the three posters are trash, on the same level as the thugs depicted in the video.

I feel honoured to be included in a small group who are capable of understanding a short video and comprehending the cultures that underscores it.

Perhaps time for you to go home now that your holiday here is over because you haven't learned very much, you especially don't realise that this aint Kansas!

I am Australian not American and am living in Thailand - in Pathum Thani where there are few foreigners. I also speak Thai. I don't know any Thais capable of kicking unconscious old women nor do I see a culture here that underscores such acts.

Three posters in particular - chiang mai, Roobuk and Metapod - clearly indicate that their life and Thai experience have taught them absolutely nothing about justice and acceptable public behaviour. Their views belong to another much earlier and far more primitive era. Thankfully their opinions are not representative of the average farang, nor of the majority of Thai people who would find their defence of Thai macho brutality and loss of face excuse irrelevant to this situation. As human beings the three posters are trash, on the same level as the thugs depicted in the video.

The three posters mentioned are only pointing out that the tourists were not blameless in the incident.

No they are not. They are suggesting they got what they deserved. That is so obviously untrue. The fight is about as fair as an elephant crushing a mouse. The outcome is out of all proportion to anything that the Brits may have said or done to warrant a response from the Thai men.

Three posters in particular - chiang mai, Roobuk and Metapod - clearly indicate that their life and Thai experience have taught them absolutely nothing about justice and acceptable public behaviour. Their views belong to another much earlier and far more primitive era. Thankfully their opinions are not representative of the average farang, nor of the majority of Thai people who would find their defence of Thai macho brutality and loss of face excuse irrelevant to this situation. As human beings the three posters are trash, on the same level as the thugs depicted in the video.

That's rather unfair. They've mostly just pointed out what actually happened - it's clear for anyone to see if you watch the video carefully.

Mate I have watched it three times or more. The only truly brutal blows are inflicted on the tourists not the Thais. If you think it is OK to make cowardly attacks on old people and women, kicking them savagely when they are lying unconscious on the ground, then you are unfit to call yourself a man. No sane Thai would agree with you or your 'friends'.

Three posters in particular - chiang mai, Roobuk and Metapod - clearly indicate that their life and Thai experience have taught them absolutely nothing about justice and acceptable public behaviour. Their views belong to another much earlier and far more primitive era. Thankfully their opinions are not representative of the average farang, nor of the majority of Thai people who would find their defence of Thai macho brutality and loss of face excuse irrelevant to this situation. As human beings the three posters are trash, on the same level as the thugs depicted in the video.

I cannot understand how anyone can watch the video and defend the Thais who bashed and kicked the foreigners. Whatever provocation there may have been, and there does not seem to have been any of substance, the brutality of the attack is utterly indefensible. I must say I loathe posters who insist on seeking fault in the victims of such attacks, as though a few loose words or even a slap warrant blows and kicks that would look more at home in gang warfare rather than against an elderly couple, their son and a good samaritan attempting to prevent unnecessary violence. Some people on here need to seriously assess their morality and sense of justice, because those suggesting the foreigners invited this kind of attack are living in a world far removed from any that I wish to inhabit.

My opinion is for people who have not experienced the Laos visa run before, or for those who did but were not paying attention.

I've done the round-trip visa run twice in a van from Bkk. Both times having very reckless drivers who tailgate even large trucks which you can't see around at high speeds. I'm talking almost kissing bumpers at 100 kph+! Almost had several accidents. Experienced one event of road rage by another vehicle who apparently didn't appreciate how our driver was driving. No seat belts in the last round-trip van, except for the front left seat (where you will actually be the first to die)! Same driver drives each 8-hour leg. He will only take two to three 20 minute gas station/bathroom breaks (+ a 45 minute dinner break on the return to Bkk). Also, I noted a huge lack of highway safety features. There are many large trees or worse along the dark highway which aren't even separated by Thailand's substandard made guardrails. Some Krails were noted, but that is not the norm. It would only take a tire to blow to send your vehicle into a tree. Certain sudden death would probably be the outcome (if you were lucky). Think about it. Do you think the emergency services in rural Thailand are swift & competent? From now on I'm flying. By the way, like the brief video.

You can always go by train! It is quite comfortable and inexpensive. You don't have to take a van.

Read a book called Marching powder,about a british guy who started touts for tourists at the Lepaz prison in south America.Very much the same.

I read the book. Those in prison (with money) may as well have lived on the outside, so normal were the privileges they enjoyed inside.

One legal system for the rich and another for the poor, now offering luxury penal accommodation to the few rich criminals unfortunate enough not to have already avoided responsibility for their crime. A disgraceful government which feathers the nests of its own people and cronies, and shits in everyone else's. Hun Sen exhibits the worst traits of SEA leaders - corruption, cruelty, cronyism all flourish under his rule. No surprise that a user pays system should determine the quality of a prisoner's sentence.

Can SIM cards still be bought at the airport by incoming passengers?

For importers like me, this is unexpected good news. Delay or absence of rate hikes will weaken USD against other currencies including Baht.

I read it the opposite way round, that rates may be increased rather than kept on hold.

This actually made the national TV news, even had the police video. A bunch of confused old folks playing Bridge.

Unclear what crime was committed, anyone know?

The offense relates to Section 8 of the Playing Cards Act of 1935 which states that an individual is not allowed to possess more than 120 playing cards at any one time. At the Bridge event, considerably more than 120 playing cards were found by officers.

I don't see the problem here except for the number of officers involved in the arrest. These people are criminals who broke the law. They knew they were committing a crime but obviously thought as affluent foreigners they were above the law or were too culturally insensitive to care. If you live in a country you should follow its laws and customs regardless of whether you agree with them or not. If you do not want to do that face the consequences or go somewhere else. I bet many of these would be the first to whine about foreigners in their on country flaunting the laws and refusing to conform to cultural norms.

Surely futsu this is tongue in cheek. Your comment if serious ignores the utter absurdity of the situation. Old people playing bridge are hardly 'criminals who broke the law'. In this case, the law is an ass.

Couldn't be happier, how long did they think thy could rob tourists

phuket can rot in hell

I worked and lived there for 6 months in the late 1990's after 6 years in Bangkok. I hated it, particularly the locals Phuket people who were greedy for money. If the tourism business is drying up I won't be shedding a tear for those Thai people affected on the island. Karma at work.

A single entry visa from the Thai embassy in Australia was and still is $A45. A multiple entry visa used to cost $45 for each extra entry. Now the multiple entry visa cost a flat $A225 with the same 6 months validity. No way will I be getting one of those for my annual 4 month visit to the region. I will spend more time elsewhere. Plus you need to be able to show $A8000 or 200000 baht in a bank account. The country is actively discouraging genuine tourists.

The incident is not really complete without a photo of the woman pointing at the snake with the police standing solemnly behind her. If this had to happen to anyone, a Chinese tourist is probably the most appropriate of victims.

Just think, somebody could go to prison for 'corrupting' this little innocent girl when all all is said and done she couldn't wait to get her mojo working, fresh meat for the bar.

That somebody could even have his scrotum strangled with rubber bands and be beaten to death by his cellmates, with the supportive applause of a large contingent of TV posters.

The end of civilized criminal law and people applauding?

Shocking

Not "people", but a small minority of posters on the far right posting from their trailer parks ...............

When they are not busy spewing their venom here, they spend their days supporting Donald Trumph !!

That's an interesting interpretation, 'posters on the far right'.

BTW I guess you don't have a daughter around that age, or none who might be easily impressed by smooth talking males?

The last post is on the mark.

Not sure what is meant by trailer park right winger trump supporters is all about, but I'm guessing someone is being insulted

As to the end of civilized criminal law... Lol.... Civilized criminal law is in its infancy... And has a very long way to go, before we see its decline

The mighty Saladin once had the hands and feet of a retainer amputated, so he could wither around on the ground like a worm, until he died... Nobody dared say that Saladin was uncivilized... The opposite really.

Anyone who resorts to such cruelty as you say Saladin did is uncivilized, no matter whether others dare to tell them or not.

Guards stay away from prisoners' cells after they are locked in at 4pm each day till 6 next morning. The strong rule the weak, a recipe for disaster. There are some real low life specimens of humanity on this forum. If found guilty, the guy would have been sufficiently punished by the law without the necessity for mob violence.

Hun Sen is the worst human being among the leaders of the region. I am sure that his son could be little other than a chip off the old block. At heart he is probably equally adept at spooning out eyes or slicing off tongues.

I believe that the nastiness of responses in this forum can be understood in light of the "social quality" of the expats that Thailand attracts. It seems to me that there are a disproportionate number of social misfits who brought the bitterness of failure in their home country when the washed up on the shores of Thailand.

Possibly true though much of the venom is spat by those claiming to have superior knowledge of the nuances of the Thai professional and cultural system. Maybe those posters in this thread are actually surrounded in their classrooms by screaming, undisciplined kids rather than the respectful, obedient students that they claim their training and personality has created.

The OP is certainly correct about one thing. There are indeed some real pricks in this forum who delight in being nasty and negative to other posters, particularly anyone with the courage to bare their soul. I have not struck a similar lack of sensitivity for other people in any of the forums in which I participate.

If living in Thailand destroys people's basic humanity to the extent witnessed here and in almost every other thread, perhaps Thai life is not the idyllic existence that many come here to seek. Many of the comments are downright cruel, despite the worst of them having been erased by mods. The moderators have a tough job trying to cleanse these threads of the vicious thoughts of the worst of the posters. Given the dark nature of some posts that escape the chop, I prefer to remain ignorant of the content of those which are deleted.

I am a qualified secondary teacher who taught in Australia and Thailand for 35 years before retiring. Completing a degree and a one year teaching qualification does not automatically provide you with the skills to control an unruly class, and Thai schools provide special challenges. Perhaps the teachers in the best position to help the OP are those too busy trumpeting their own success in classroom management and too ready to tell the OP that he was untrained, jaded and in need of a career change. Sanctimonious pricks abound in these 'plea for help' threads. If anyone seriously wants support or advice, TV is not the best place to seek it.

The greatest enemy of the farang is as the OP stated other farangs, particularly those who use their culturally savvy knowledge of the system to try to belittle those experiencing difficulty coping in a tough Thai working environment.