MarcelV

The air in Chiang Mai works wonders on illnesses. I guess PM Sretthaksin (sp?) was right in his decision not to declare it a disaster area.

I live in the deep south, among Malay muslims. There are very few farangs here, only a few families of US missionaries, whom I have no connection to and who hang around with each other exclusively anyway. Therefore I am happy to have two good Thai friends. They are of Malay ethnicity, so their first language is Malay instead of Thai, but they can speak English to a reasonable level, better than my Thai anyways. They are muslim, so - like me - they don't drink or do drugs, and they are well-educated and hold steady jobs. Both have young families. I've known them for about 7 years and we just get along well. It's important that personalities are compatible, something I find lacking when comparing myself to other farangs in Thailand, who often have radically different (political) views on life.

What the US needs is a good old civil war to shake things up. A lot of my American friends have been preparing and are ready when the inevitable happens. May God grant wisdom and strength to those who are willing to fight for a better life and unleash the kraken. #WWG1WGA

You think drones will be independently able to spot the terrorists among the regular population and to take them out on the spot? Keep dreaming.

I feel saddened that this has happened during the holy month of Ramadan. Insha'allah this will one day stop and the people of Patani can live in peace. Probably after the kuf'aar depart from the region insha Allah.

I still love living in this restive region alhamdulilah. Inshallah we will be fine and protected from harm during this holy month of Ramadan.

People reap what they sow. Everybody can still remember my words about "rivers of blood of the martyrs". If they do not heed it, then so be it. Som nam naa.

Just as a reminder: Eid al-Fitr is what muslims celebrate the day after the month of Ramadan, and it literally translates as "celebration of breaking of the fast". In SEA it is commonly referred to as Hari Raya/Rayo. In the deep south (Pattani etc.) nearly everything is closed on that particular day, including all convenience stores, and people dress in colorful, shiny robes, often bought on the final day of Ramadan. I am not a muslim, but have lived in deep southern Thai-Malay territory for many years. All my friends here are Malay muslims and so are my colleagues and students. I pretty much know what I'm talking about when it comes to Islam in Thailand and the Malay culture in particular.

Women choose to wear hijab by themselves. There may be some societal pressure in places, but it's ultimately up to them.

That's not what spidermike said. You are reaching for a strawman.

Well, I live in the deep south, where for nearly everyone this is an important, if not the most important month of the year. To the Thai-Malay people of the three province region I would like to express a hearty "Ramadan Mubarak".

Don't worry about that. First of all, you won't be around to see the carnage. And second, by then there won't be any more of these establishments. Only places where dudes like you and me strutt our stuff on stage in front of obese feminists.

Don't worry. They'll be finding their way soon enough when they hear about our paradise and its ladies. Together with a flock of single male muslims. And Jews. Thailand will be fine. Nothing to worry about.😉

I know many people are worried how they will be perceived after these "incidents" with these lovely Swiss gentlemen, but I for one have yet to experience any kind of adverse reaction from the Thai people around me. Most, if not all of them, have been very gentle until now. Unlike the man from Trang I am not a wife-beating scumbag, and most Thais seem to realize that, fortunately.

Pains me to see so many of you TV members defending a wife-beater. Thailand would be much better off without a lot of you expats.

Yup dude, that's a real s-hole of a town/province. Normal falangs like us go to Pattaya. Why for gosh's sake was her there in the first place?

Yeah. Truly disgusting to beat up your own wife like this. And now she even wants to bail him out. What's wrong with these people?

Is it easier to depart/arrive from BKK than Sattahip?

I have lived in one of the three restive provinces since 2016 and can assure anyone that the situation has much improved. Nowadays, the number of yearly incidents is in the double digits and the number of casualties in the single to low double digits. All in all, there's no reason for anyone to avoid the area regarding safety. It's as safe as anywhere else in Thailand. Since the majority of people don't drink, the number of alcohol-related incidents is much lower than in the rest of the country, so it's probably even safer all around.

None. Only private jets for the rich Chinese businessmen who fly there. Farangs never go there anyway, scared as they are to have their heads lopped off by long-bearded Arabs screaming "allahu akbar". 🙃

So do I. In my province people have more urgent things to worry about than a farang's visa status.

Hammerman, Hammerman, where are you?

What about his visa status? Did someone check if Mr. Russell is perhaps on overstay after 50 days of running?

I've been there multiple times, but don't live there, nor do I know any foreigner who does. Would I live there? Probably not, as it's so far from anywhere else in Thailand and the airport is not being used at all commercially.

Great news! My wife and her entire village are celebrating. Everywhere are red flags and flags with the image of Mr. Thaksin. Everyone is wearing red today to express their happiness. Here in Issan people know when it's time for a party. 🙂 My wife is praying for Mr. Thaksin to replace the current PM asap and give back more to the lovely Issan folk. ☺️