richard_smith237

IMO it is a sign or an indication of how uncivilized Thailand can be sometimes. 

I've often heard that the true measure of a country is in its driving standards and consideration for others on the roads. 

The 'me first' attitudes here and what I call the '<deleted> switch' which people turn on when they enter a vehicle is in stark contrast with the advertised relaxed 'jai-yen' way of life people like to portray of Thai's. 

What I see... this Jai-Yen and Kraeng-Jai is especially strong within the circle of those known, but once people step outside of this 'circle of those known' people stop caring, they stop respecting, they stop having any concern for consequence, they start thinking me, me me... 

I see this as a fundamental flaw in the culture here, an underlying current of moral questionability which is ultimately devastating when combined with isolation when traveling in vehicles - People ultimately die because of this self centered attitude where people and society forget their humanity as the lowest common denominator 'selfishness' takes over. 

You can also use the UBER or GRAB Taxi App... 

11 hours ago, dexjnr555 said:

 

The most pressing issue here is that a local man who probably is a father, brother, uncle, son etc is now dead due to a foreigner. 

Not really... but your comment perhaps highlights that the most pressing issue is that not everyone is intelligent, yet you also share the road with others... 

I have a question regarding your comment above of the 'The local man, who was probably a father, brother, uncle, son etc'...  was he probably any more of these than the foreign man ?

This 'local man' crossed the road at a point that he shouldn't and in doing so placed lives in danger. In this case a foreigner (it could have been anyone) was riding the road at 'riding speed' (it could have been a car driving) and the local was wiped out, in doing so the motorcyclist with legal right of way, moral right of way and right of way in any world which includes common sense was also killed. 

The only world in which the foreign motorcyclists could be criticized is one in which he could be blamed for not predicting the idiocy or unpredictability of others - this is where training and experience comes in and it could have saved his life had he made a different choice, paid greater attention or simply been taking it more easy, or not...   ...or just taken his journey in a car instead... BUT... the guy crossing the road did so at a dangerous time....

...... the guy taking the short cut killed the guy riding legally along the road. 

2 hours ago, Internatltraveler said:

It continues to amuse me to read responses to these articles from people who have no earthly idea what they are talking about. Here are some facts abouy Uber.

 

1. It is the largest taxi company in the world now and is making lots of organized mafia controlled companies very uncomfortable because of their rapid and cheaper service. What is wrong with this anyway? Any taxi driver can quit his low paying job and become an Uber driver anywhere in the world where it is legal, so rather than complaining and saying they are taking business away, join them...much better deal for all concerned.

2. Uber carries a $3 million liability coverage policy on all of its drivers. So for those of you talking about them being uninsured, well, you really do not know what you are talking about. There is no taxi company, that I am aware of, in the world who carries this high limit of liability coverage for its drivers. I would say that is a fairly responsible business strategy and much more ethical than most taxi companies with their low limits of coverage.

3. Uber requies high limit individual coverage be carried by its drivers. In the USA, that is a limit of $300,000/$100,000 being $300K for total per accident and $100K per individual in that accident. So what say you nay sayers of wrong information again? Guess that does not suit your arguments either, right? It also required all vehicles to be well maintained, clean and well cared for in order to even become a driver.

4. Uber does not employ drivers. It subcontracts with them. That makes them legally self employed. So for the government to say they are a foreign owned business, well that is right and wrong also. It is more accurate for the government to take the position that these drivers may not be properly licensed to conduct a business in Thailand, and that is a legitimate comment. But let's get our facts straight.

 

So many of us talk about all the cheating of taxis, poor service and corruption of taxi drivers in Thailand and when a decent new concept company that offers rapid and courteous service, known fees prior to boarding into the taxi without having to negotiate, being capable of paying with credit card, rather than cash you, and heavily insured in case of an accident,  complain using misinformation and normal groveling that this site is known for.

 

By the way, Uber takes a small amount (I think it is $1 or $2 per ride from its drivers) to pay for their $3 million dollar liability coverage...Great idea I would say..or would you also argue with this business model.

 

So Uber is a well run company, breaking the rules of old taxi businesses all over the world that is literally corrupt, too expensive, slow often in getting to a customer and then can you trust the route they take if you do not know the area because in the 30 or so countries I have lived and/or traveled through they tend to take advantage of riders lack of knowledge to run the meter up, if they even use a meter....

 

So before you start spewing garbage about one more item you know nothing about, why not do a little research and become correctly informed so we would respect your arguments! What an idea that would be...or just continue running off your opinions with toxic comments and total lack of knowledge of what is being said! I challenge you to become informed consumers rather than just detractors and devisive opinionated naysayers.

While I agree with much of your post, I'm wondering if you are projecting UBER Policy across to Thailand based on US operations. 

Are we in Thailand really personally insured up to US$100,000 in an accident in an UBER Vehicle?..... Have UBER made this policy public? (personally, it doesn't matter as I have my own health & Accident insurance).

Thai Policies cover their Passengers up to 100,000 Baht (usually), so, based on your information UBER supersedes this policy internationally - Is this correct ?... if so, incredible as it pretty much mutes the 'non insurance' argument of the nay-sayers.... 

My question is: IS this information factual... Are you 100% sure that anyone who rides in an UBER in Thailand if involved in an accident their medical costs are covered by UBER up to 100,000 US$  ???

Another question: IF these drivers are not 'employees' of UBER..   why would UBER insurance be expected to cover them ? doesn't that offer some room to avoid costs... they are not employees...  The Insurance covers UBER Drivers right ? but these guys are not UBER employees... there's a little too much room to manoeuvre...

On 6/13/2017 at 7:02 PM, cosceguinhas said:

If you offload a passenger, the cabin must be searched for explosive devices before take-off, and it would be easier to do this with everybody (and their carry-on luggage) out of the way.  Any checked luggage must also be off-loaded.

UU.T.F >>> ??? - This sounds astonishing... so astonishing in fact I don't disbelieve it !!!... 

Its one of those answers you read that beggar belief, however, once thought about, I can see that a blanket policy which results in anyone needing to be offloaded for whatever reason presents a potential risk.... 

As daft as it seems, as well profiled as this lady could be, someones job needs protecting for society will no longer permit intelligent risk in the face of all that has gone wrong recently.

Well, either that, or there is much more to the story !

7 minutes ago, billd766 said:

Who needs to have a maid? Can you not sweep the floor and tidy up by yourself?

A bit of a daft question... 

Do you cook all your own meals and never eat out ??

This technique called 'click farming' has been going on for a while and has seen companies boost their online credibility from click farms based in India and Bangladesh... 

This is obviously a localized version of the same thing.

Where are you ?

Try: Villa, Tops, Big C, Tesco Lotus, Foodland... 

3 hours ago, just.a.thought said:

"Grab Taxi" download the app then you don't have to deal with idiots like that and you have everything on record 

Correct... 

The rejections are just a minor irritation, a driver having change is just another minor irritation. Getting a Taxi in central Bangkok at night generally becomes 'just a minor irritation'... GRAB and UBER resolve this (where available).

That said, we are spoiled in Bangkok, these issues are nothing compared to the transport issues in other Cities in Thailand. 

I would choose Suvarnabumi to fly in and out of over scores of other airports.. 

I think this article is particularly harsh...  There are many airports in Western countries which IMO rate much more poorly when the basis of evaluation is: 

Delayed flights, Immigration queues, speed of baggage arrival, Check In queues, availability of amenities (such as reasonably priced food and drink).

The transport links need improvement, the Airport Rail Link is a joke and the Taxi's are con-artists, improve this and the impressions of visitors will greatly improve. 

Am I missing something? why unload all the passengers and not just the pregnant lady ?

2 hours ago, kalidescopemind said:

40 baht is a $1.25 tip.  How cheap is the lady?   I know its not common to tip in Thailand, but why get so worked up over $1.25?  Life is too short.  That taxi ride cost $30 in the USA.

Dumb argument... Why should she tip anything at all, she is provided a service which she pays the going rate for. 

Do you pay 40% more for bottle of milk at the supermarket ? or do you leave a 40% tip for the cashier?

The issue here is an unscrupulous scummy taxi driver intimidating a female to try and get more money. 

This attack was allegedly perpetrated by thugs who wield such weapons knowing the chances of them getting caught and facing consequences are limited. 

Someone, even the government is responsible for this lawlessness for if those in positions of decision making power encouraged greater levels of enforcement and a greater policing ethic many events such this may not even exists.

It is impossible to apply a 'what could be' statistic but it is a safe assumption to make that with improved enforcement and an improved policing eithic the average criminal and thug would be forced to re-think their behavior. 

Erm.. So in a Shop in Phuket Town a Belgian guy, buys some things, pays by his Credit Card, but while exiting the shop also steels something?

That is extremely odd behavior, also extremely stupid. 

The Shop Owner posts the video on Facebook and I guess, also reported this to the police. 

The Police learned of his departure date and time... How is that possible ?

2 hours ago, balo said:

This months Darwin award winners.   Congratulation , you made the news, now let's hope they will relocate you back to the rice fields. 

 

 

 

Not quite Darwin awards which honors those who accidentally remove themselves from the gene pool (i.e. by killing themselves in some obscure or just plan stupid manner).

That said: Your point is made.

Also, how insulting is it for the True Captains of vessels that the media refers to these chancers as Captains...

For how long could this guy operating the boat not have looked ahead.. it must have been minutes... 

1 minute ago, observer90210 said:

Makes sense what you say, but if the driver is all by the law (correct licence, seat belt etc.) , perhaps the cams would dissuade some disneyland fantasy infringment by the honorable officer of law? Or am I wrong?

You are not wrong, and from personal experience, pure and simple stubbornness has also worked.

Fortunately, in Thailand the BiB are not ones for 'making up infringements'.... there may be daft and odd regulations some of us are aware of, but once we've been here driving for a while and have learnt the idiosyncrasies we hardly get pulled over because there is nothing to pull us over for. 

I think its different for motorcyclists who seem to get pulled over for just 'riding', but in a car, the BiB are not interested in anyone unless they are breaking a regulation they are specifically targeting at that time. 

4 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

A majority of farangs who live and have invested money in property in Thailand love the country and are respectful of it's culture. But it just gets very annoying when a farang is regularly targetted by corrupt officials on the road or within the counters of Thai bureaucracy and are asked for tea money to get the job done. If people get fed up and start to leave the country, no one will benefit.

It may not annoy you so much when you realize its 'anyone' who is targeted, not just Johnny Foreigner.

It almost seems as though there is an angle for someone everywhere, and, if there isn't an angle they will try and find one until the realization that its futile.

1 hour ago, thhMan said:

Ever purchased a pepsi, coke, fanta or other.... Notice that they dont have cap seals.

Ignorance is BLISS!

Carbonated drinks are less easy and more costly to 'replace'... However, in the past there have already been cases of the Water bottles being re-used with 'tap water' to turn a quick profit. 

The issue in places such as Thailand is that there is always some unscrupulous entrepreneur ready to profit (cheat). The plastic seal made this more difficult, this decision makes it more easy. 

I fully support the reducing and ultimately the removal of plastics from our lives. In this case I would like to see an announcement that should unscrupulous resellers take advantage they will be charged to the full extent of the law. 

20 minutes ago, mrfaroukh said:

In Saudi now it is not allowed to wear Barcelona team dress as Qatar is sponsering them the fine is the same 135000 Pound and 15 years jail. 

 

I just got warning that you should not carry any pain killer to UAE even if you have prescription for it, else you will be jailed for bringing drugs into country which can be life time imprisonment or even execution.

I can't comment on your Barcelona shirt comment, it seems insane, but given recent events not completely unbelievable. 

But, your UAE comment is a little off the mark (not by too much though) and may alarm some... 

There is a list of Drugs for which if you do not carry a Doctors Prescription you may find yourself in trouble if searched as many substances commonly purchased over the counter in other countries are controlled in the UAE. 

This list can be found online and as not specific to painkillers. 

For example - I believe there are no restrictions on carrying Paracetamol.

However, painkillers such as Codeine (and Paracetamol containing Codeine) which can readily be purchased over the counter in the UK, is also illegal in Thailand without a prescription, although the laws in the UAE are somewhat more draconian. 

13 hours ago, wanderlust3 said:

Really? You guys are GUESTS in this country. If you don't like Monkeys or other native creatures, whose lives are no less important than yours, go and eat somewhere else, I'm sure lots of people who visit this area enjoy the experience of seeing Monkeys, if it annoys you, choose another place, the world doesn't revolve around you and your limited perception, thoughts and petty annoyances, they have equal rights to be there as you do!

 

Depending on the perception of 'pest' you might be the pests in the area, and not the monkeys!

 

Respect the natural animals of the Country that you are honoured to be a guest in!

Does your 'Guest' argument still count when Thai's are equally irritated with this issue ?

You see, the fundamental flaw in your argument is that more commonly than not Thai's hold very similar opinions to us Westerners, because (and don't be shocked) they are also not stupid and the highly unimaginative and dumb argument of  'go elsewhere if you don't like it' falls flat on its face because quite frankly it is dumb !

6 hours ago, douglasspade said:

ABS breaking on a slippery surface is useless, and accelerating out of dangerous situations is tricky if your vehicle is not AWD!

Probably video game experience Game Over kid!

Which is more effective on a Wet Surface? With or Without ABS ?...

8 hours ago, gandalf12 said:

You talk as if you know me and your opinion is the only one. In reality I probably get out a lot more than you do. I could hardly be jealous of you sorry to disillusion you but it is a fact. I understand you have an opinion and I respect that but making judgements about people you do not know is somewhat presumptious.

"I probably get out more than you do" .... huh ?..... You probably get out more than me?... are you 5 years old? what on earth does that have to do with the topic ?

9 hours ago, optad said:

Serious cyclists always gear up, they know the dangers of the idiot factor. Does not diminish responsibility upon road all users.

 

Motorcyclists by and large are more casual, cavalier and it would not surprise me if coming from behind faster, the motorcyclist just did not see or expect the slower cyclist in front. Speculating helps no one though.

 

RIP Stephen. Seemed like you were doing good things too. 

Gear up ???...  

Helmet, always..

Gloves, yes because my hands get sweaty and can slip off the grips otherwise when hitting a bump..

Lights, always (day and night)

What other 'gear' is there when you suggest 'cyclists gear up' (on the road)?

5 minutes ago, GuiseppeD said:

What do I think? This forum seems to have attracted some the most inane posts known to man tonight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And some extremely inane responses.... why even bother to reply if you are not interested in a topic?

Note: You have no need to reply to this either - just put it down as one of the inane posts you have no interest in addressing - I'm simply writing this response in support of the OP who is intelligent enough to be aware that his isn't the only opinion.