richard_smith237

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. 

I think you put forward a valid argument...  If the level of play can be maintained, why not?

Mens Singles and Doubles are all best of 5 sets in GS tournaments and Women's Singles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles are all best of 3. 

In many sports at this level it is generally the men who draw the crowd and attention, audience, sponsorship and thus the financial rewards. However, Tennis is one of those sports whereby women demand a significant portion of the 'attention pie'... 

Perhaps they have it right already... [devils advocate]...

4 hours ago, gandalf12 said:

I think you need to rethink yourself. I am guessing it isnt intended but you come across as an arrogant prick. There again if you like butcher's cars you probably are

Which part of my post do you disagree with then ?.... 

..... you haven't offered anything of intelligence to the topic other than calling me a name !!!...  I'd suggest your post comes across as childish but we'd enter an immature tit for tad argument on an anonymous forum that simply wastes space... So, lets give that up right now and if it isn't too much trouble try engaging the grey matter and lets both get back on topic 

Do you have any comment on the second car which impacted the crash site ?... no one else has, but a few have issue with a Mercedes impacting the crash site.  

Some even have issue with the fact that a 22 year old owns a Merc which seems particularly daft to me. 

One poster has commented that its a fast road and when conditions deteriorate it becomes quite dangerous. The initial car had an accident, has his driving been brought into question?

I'm not defending the 22 year old girl, but neither do I feel she is the pariah some are making her out to be just because of some perceived wealth based on the car she drivers. She had an accident, she was perhaps driving dangerously, too fast for the conditions, but so was the first guy who crashed in the first place... both crashed, both in different makes of car, but it seems some are only interested in targeting wealth as if that is the only cause... When stepping back and looking at the bigger picture this criticism comes across as jealousy.....

A positive story and if it reminds one person to wear his gear and he has an accident the time you took to write this thread is worth while. 

As you clearly point out, your protective gear took the brunt of the punishment and an accident can happen anywhere at any time without any warning. 

Some think they can, but in truth you can't avoid 100% of accidents 100% of the time.

I was looking at bikes today simply as a measure of getting around when I don't want to be stuck in traffic in my car. This thread has made me think twice !!!... 

29 minutes ago, gandalf12 said:

Jealousy I dont think has much to do with it. The point was how does a 22 year old afford an SLK200?

My Wife's first car was a Mercedes... not a big deal.

Like any young person here - either they have an excellent paying job or the parents bought it....  You may need to get out more. 

In this case the type of car this 22 year old was driving seems irrelevant.. In terrible driving conditions her inexperience contributed towards an accident.. another car also hit the wreckage, but because it was not a BMW or a Benz (etc...)... no one has picked up on that, so yes, it does seem that there is plenty of jealousy on here... Or at least animosity directed at those seemingly more privileged.

5 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

Why would I be jealous of a 22 year old, immature, inexperience driver?  If you're talking about the "money aspect", I find that funny, since my father was a millionaire back in Indiana.  He bought me and my 3 brothers our first cars, but you can bet there were no "luxury" or "super cars" involved.  Oh, and we all paid him back once we were able.  I find your comment somewhat humorous, even though it is totally ill-informed. lol

Yup... sounds jealous alright... Daddy didn't buy him a nice car... but its ok, that stuff is Character building !...