richard_smith237

They say every village has its idiot - and sometimes, that idiot goes missing. Naturally, you'd expect to find him in the village of missing idiots. But even that village is missing its idiot…. You are that guy !!!!

Well, at least there’s one positive comment in here. But honestly, this thread more than most really showcases the depths of grumpy, miserable-boomer energy that occasionally bubbles up on this forum. How bleak do some people need to be? I’m only surprised we haven’t had the inevitable “I didn’t come to Thailand to eat Western food” comment yet - or some tired remark about her looks. Give it time, though... Western food and British Food in Thailand - there's plenty around and a lot of it is excellent - Thailand really is a foodies paradise for all types of cuisine.

And there came the speculative maybe. Which is most likely a 'likely'.... Two tonnes of watermelons, a driver travelling at speed, light steering input, and a moment’s inattention. A dangerous combination. At least, this time, he didn’t take out an innocent motorcyclist along with himself. It’s tragic how often these unnecessary deaths occur. But in single-vehicle incidents like this, there’s usually only one person responsible. Yes, terms like “likely” and “usually” reflect a lack of absolute certainty - but when you look at the scale of the damage, there’s one thing that is certain: excessive speed was involved. And that makes it, ultimately, a self-inflicted incident with no one else to blame.

I see that too - when a driver appears ready to pull out of a junction, many others instinctively turn up the aggression dial. Rather than easing off to allow a smooth merge, they do the opposite: accelerating to assert dominance, making it crystal clear they have no intention of giving way. Some even go as far as flashing their headlights in a distinctly hostile manner - not as a friendly signal, but more like a warning shot: “Don’t you dare pull out in front of me"...... As a result the car pulling out is 'stuck' somewhat pregnant, half in half out of a junction and only moves once the on-coming car realised they have to give way and finally comes to a halt... The result? The car pulling out of the junction does so hesitantly and far more slowly, somewhat unsure of the other driver's intent. Meanwhile, the oncoming vehicle - which could have simply eased off the accelerator and indicated a willingness to give way, ends up having to brake sharply or come to a complete stop. Ironically, their refusal to show a moment’s courtesy slows their own journey more than if they'd just allowed the other driver to merge in the first place. So much for making progress.... This behaviour, repeated thousands of times across the city, amplifies into a widespread inefficiency in overall traffic flow. The near-total absence of basic courtesy on the roads has a cumulative, city-wide impact - it’s not just isolated rudeness; it becomes a systemic issue. What’s surprising, though, is the lack of overt aggression. You’d expect this constant friction to erupt into full-blown road rage more often, but it rarely does. Instead, drivers seem to slip behind the wheel, flick some unconscious “eff-you” switch, and carry on with a simmering, low-level passive aggression. It’s not explosive - just a steady undercurrent of self-importance and indifference. And oddly, no one seems particularly bothered by it. After decades of driving here, it doesn’t bother me either. I’m simply used to it - it’s just how things are - but I do notice it.

While technically flashing your headlights to give way isn’t a lawful signal in the UK, it’s widely used as an informal gesture of courtesy. According to the Highway Code (Rule 110), headlights should only be flashed to warn other drivers of your presence - not to convey any other message. Despite this, the practice often reflects a 'greater good' mentality on British roads, where drivers acknowledge that cooperation benefits everyone. Admittedly, not every area is a model of road etiquette, and there’s no shortage of idiots out there. Still, recognising when someone else has priority and yielding accordingly helps maintain traffic flow and reduces congestion that would otherwise be far worse. In contrast, the 'me first' attitude often seen elsewhere such as Thailand tends to disrupt this balance, slowing both parties down and causing unnecessary delays and accidents.

Another very good option which I now use mostly. Split the trip in two... fly via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi.... - Take a morning flight (or day time flight at least) - Have a layover (just less than 24 hours so your baggage still goes through to the final destination automatically) - Book a hotel near the airport, arrive, have a swim, chill out, have dinner, get a good night sleep, then breakfast - Then go the the airport an hour before your flight without any need to check-in as you already have your boarding pass. - You'll only need to go through security. Doing this breaks jet-lag more easily and eases the boredom of flying...

No... The DLT do not 'keep' your original home driving License when obtaining a Thai License. I can't speak specifically for Banglamung - however, with so many foreigners obtaining driving licences here - such an issue has never once been mentioned.

There ought to be a legal requirement for all ponds to have a rope stretched across them – a simple, low-cost safety measure that could allow anyone who ends up in the water to grab hold and pull themselves to safety. At the very least, this should be complemented by a ladder on one side, even if it’s nothing more than a makeshift wooden one. This kind of basic standard could prevent countless avoidable tragedies. It's a modest intervention with the potential to save lives.

Next level what? Schooling or swimming. Never heard that story before. Swimming was never a.must do. school subject. In the UK, swimming forms a compulsory element of the national curriculum for physical education (PE), particularly at the primary level. It is a statutory requirement for children in Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11). That said - it was never a 'pass or fail' subject that prevents a child from progressing onwards academically, nevertheless, the swimming lessons are compulsory and are most certainly a non-negotiable part of schooling in the UK. During my son’s early education here in Thailand – both in his infant and junior years – swimming was also a key component of his curriculum, with lessons held at least once a week. We’ve been fortunate to have access to swimming pools both at home and at his schools, which has undoubtedly made a difference. However, such infrastructure is far from the norm across Thailand on a broader scale.

Just a 'cramp' can debilitate you enough to cause drowning.... I cramped up he other week playing football - it was 10mins of sheer hell, I was completely immobile, my calf just locked up, I couldn't move... had I been swimming in deep water I'd have been in real trouble - hence one of the golden rules is never swim alone. I'm a very strong swimmer (used to swim competitively) - I recall being in Phuket with my Son, we went in the sea and the waves gave us a battering... Fit and healthy and both of us swimmers, however, it still gave me cause for concern and we remained in the pool after that.

come on man , if you can swim, then by default, you can float, and you are therefore very unlikely to drown in a pond or lake ever Driving is a different matter altogether as is electrocution Although we need to tread carefully re "health and safety" it can get out of control, and be misused and legislation is no substitute for common sense Come on man.... If there were the resources to teach people to swim, then there would be more people who 'could' swim.... Water Safety involves a lot more than 'just being able to swim and float'.... Toddlers left unattended drown in 2" of water ... Kids that 'can' swim drown in the ponds because they can't climb out of the steep slick sides... no ropes are put across the sides of these ponds, no ladders (even home made) placed up the sides... Kids drown in the ponds because one child jumps in to save their friend and they both tragically drown, when the could have used a robe, a branch, a floating bottle, then gone to get adult help etc.... This is where water safety really counts. I agree that health and safety can go too far... But not going far enough, or not 'going at all' is a far greater concern.

It's not simply about learning to swim - it's about understanding basic water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children under 15 in Thailand. The sheer number of these tragic incidents suggests a widespread lack of awareness about the dangers water can pose. It’s not about swimming laps; it’s about knowing how to stay safe around water. More broadly, Thailand suffers from a glaring absence of basic safety education - something that could, and should, be addressed in schools. - Water Safety - Road Safety - Electrical Safety These are everyday realities for every Thai citizen.... far more relevant to most people’s lives than, say, trigonometry or more obscure academic subtopics. It’s hard to argue against the importance of establishing a core “Life Skills” subject in schools - and not just in Thailand, but globally. Teaching children how to navigate real-world risks could save countless lives. It’s practical, it’s necessary, and frankly, it’s long overdue.

Possibly one of the most pervasive traits on the roads here is that slowing down is always the last resort. I witnessed it just yesterday, right outside our soi. The Grab driver inched forward, cautiously nosing out into the main soi, but instead of committing, the driver hesitated. Meanwhile, a pickup truck came barrelling down the road at speed, showing no sign of slowing. It looked certain he’d simply swerve around us. At the very last moment, the pickup slammed on the brakes and stopped uncomfortably close to our vehicle. In truth, the GrabCar had more than enough time to pull out safely, but the driver’s hesitance created uncertainty. The pickup driver, on the other hand, was clearly determined to assert his right of way, aggressively closing the gap to prevent anyone from merging ahead of him. The result? Both drivers effectively delayed one another, thanks to a stubborn refusal to yield or show any flexibility. And this sort of encounter is all too common - an unwillingness to give way, where braking is seen as a defeat rather than a basic courtesy. The traffic suffers as a result. In the end, these micro-standoffs are exactly what lead to the more serious accidents. When nobody wants to be the one to ease off, the damage only happens once it's too late. That said: In this case (this thread) I suspect the motorcyclist simply failed to look far enough ahead and / or simply failed to see the lorry until it was too late - So many vehicles here collide with stationary other vehicles - the amount it happens is astonishing.

No issues whatsoever.... I've flown with less layover times numerous times - I've flown Qatar Airways with a 40 min lay-over. Walk off one plane, straight onto another. If the airline sells the ticket - they are responsible for any issues if the connection is missed (and if it is, you are entitled to €600 compensation). Personally, I always prefer a much longer layover... i.e. just less than 24 hours, then I can break up the flight with a hotel and have a swim, meal and good sleep in the middle... Now you've bought your ticket - its too late anyway, so there's no point worrying about it... ... Take a fatalistic approach - its the airlines responsibility.

These U-Turns should simply not exist... Every day there is a U-Turn fatality... multiple... At night, these U-Turns are often in dark area's... I don't think the lorry driver is at fault, they have no other option than to commit to a turn which not a 'quick' process - a motorcycle can easily be out of sight when they commit to the turn and on these roads a fast vehicle must be prepared to slow for turning traffic.... This motorcycle may well have been travelling at high speed and simply not notice the turning truck. How many times do we read news of one vehicle driving or riding into a stationary vehicle at the side of the road - it doesn't surprise me that the 'observation' and self preservation skills are so lacking that a motorcyclist will ride directly into the side of a truck at speed.

Almost every major highway in Thailand allows u-turns and some of them are in totally unprotected lanes. We're talking about a four-lane divided highway, the main artery going north and south in Thailand. if I can't do 120 on a highway like that what's the point of even driving? Agree... and almost every other vehicle on the roads on those major highways are travelling at those speeds.... The U-turns themselves are lethal and IMO - its criminally negligent to have such - U-Turns on fast highways - of course, to make such 'U-Turn options' safer, cost comes into it and people will argue Thailand does not have such a budget to make U-Turn Bridges on major roads nationwide, whereas I'd argue that money has been pocketed.

You mean this desert ???

I think you might be right - though I suspect there is a culture aspect to it... For example: I'm perfectly fine with using Spotify, Amazon and Banking Apps on my phone... they seem to be designed well and are not what I'd call 'noisy'... but Lazada and shopee etc have pop-ups and 'noise' I have to bypass before I can get into typing what I'm looking for - they are messy Apps IMO... Japanese-centric apps and websites are 10x worse which is odd given the minimalist nature of their culture in general. Then the age thing really comes in when using sites such as this forum - I much prefer not to read or type on my phone. The same with WhatsApp and Line Messaging - I'll respond on my laptop rather than deal with all the typing on my phone (it probably makes a difference that I can type extremely quickly on querty keyboard).

Precisely this - students are assessed not only on an individual basis, but also through mid-year testing (typically around February) designed to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching within each subject. The aggregate results are analysed to identify any potential educational shortcomings or weaknesses in the curriculum. Furthermore, as you rightly pointed out, if a student is underperforming, parents are informed, and the school takes targeted steps to support the pupil and help them reach the expected standards. Thai government schools are, regrettably, shockingly poor from an educational standpoint. It’s a real shame that so little seems to be done, suggesting a broader societal indifference to the issue. Teachers are deeply revered here, which makes it all the more perplexing given the persistently low standards within the system. That said, there are still opportunities for the occasional 'diamond in the rough' to shine. I’ve known colleagues in my professional field who, despite having very limited opportunities and attending local government schools, managed to succeed against the odds - earning degrees from top Thai universities like Chulalongkorn or Thammasat, going on to complete MSc programmes, and eventually securing positions with international companies. These individuals are genuinely impressive, but one can’t help but wonder how many more slip through the cracks. Of course, not everyone needs to pursue a university education - Thailand still needs its market vendors, 7-Eleven staff, drivers, builders, labourers, and waste collectors. But the education system ought to be one in which merit is not only more easily recognised, but where students have a genuine educational opportunity in the first place such that educational mobility is possible. Cases like the one presented by the original poster only serve to highlight the deep-rooted, systemic flaws in a system that, quite frankly, appears to care very little.

Have you considered a Moka pot ??? I think it brews a better coffee than pour over (drip), or French Press.

One wonders how you'd know ?

There is no way for a foreigner to make a booking to Apply for an IDP There are three queues (at the entry / information desk on the ground floor). 1) Thai's who have made a booking (left lane) 2) Non-Thai's (i.e. You - middle lane) 3) Thai's without a Booking (this queue will likely be huge, don't join the back of this !) Document requirements: 1) Passport 2) Current Full Thai Driving Licence (5 year License) [not a 2 year Temp License] 3) Residence cert (and copy) 4) Passport Photos Thus: OP - the simple answer is 'just rock up'... and make sure you can communicate that you want an IDP. Also ensure you get the correct IDP for the country you are visiting (i.e. 1949 version or 1968 version).

I find them easy, you just have to get used to them I think it just comes down to individual preference - Its not 'harder' to use the Apps... It's just a lot easier to read everything on laptop sized screen... its easier to see the images, zoom in, check the specks etc on a larger laptop screen... The Apps also have pop-ups which the websites don't have.

The problems with the Apps - is that they are just too noisy to be comfortably navigable. I only ever use Apps when I'm away from home, otherwise everything is carried out on the laptop - its just easier to use. The issue of course is that so many vendors and business in Thailand have become almost purely App orientated. So... For Lazada, Shopee and most others, Amazon etc - I prefer to use the Computer, I too end up having to go through a verification process from time to time... i.e. OTP, but there is also an E-mail verification option - so its not a major hassle.

Yep... thats was my thought, hence my reason to clarify the distinction. I don't think there is any harm in naming such schools when these observations are made - the clarification removes any ambiguity and as the information does serve the greater good of the public this cannot be classified as 'defamatory'...