richard_smith237

What this woman did was clearly wrong...  

.... Now, why didn't the boat operator also know this an advise her to return the Starfish to the water ?

 

IMO: The boat operator is also complicit in ensuring that those under his charge behaved correctly.

Of course this would be too good to be true....

 

-----

 

As others have mentioned this is hardly the crime of the century, but it is this level of ignorance which damages the environment we live in. ALL involved need to be educated. This starts with the first line of defense, the boat operators who in turn educate the tourists. 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Deserted said:

Cycling in BKK isn't foolish. I made a mistake well two in fact but this is my fifth year and this year I had 3914 kms on my odometer already. We all make mistakes but yes I do wonder how after approximately 17000 kms in this city alone two accidents came close together and there weren't any previously. I know I made two mistakes and if I were new to cycling here I would think its foolish too. However, one more incident and I most certainly will be calling it quits. Both accidents were in the dark. I don't cycle in the dark now. I think you can minimise your efforts and be much safer. I do know how people drive here but as long as you are cautious and careful, you can be okay unless you make a mistake at the wrong time. That can happen with many things, crossing the road, you name it. Unfortunately, once is enough though. It's not a good city to cycle in but with care and attention insurance isn't necessary. 

 

Without wishing to come down too hard on you and while I do appreciate your experience in riding the 'one more incident and I'll call it quits' idea is fundamentally flawed... one more accident and IT could be quits... lights out, the end... dead.

 

You recognize that Bangkok is not a good city to cycle in, but with care and attention you dont need insurance ?.. it would seem extremely caviler not to ensure you have adequate medical coverage while in Thailand, even more so if you are partaking in activities which increase your risk profile. 

 

By not cycling in the dark you have reduced your risk profile significantly, thats a smart move. I've been driving for over 15 years in Thailand... people do silly things, my guess is that they just don't pay attention, motorcycles do even sillier things.... I also ride a bicycle - its the motorcycles which do the silly things and place me at additional risk..  

 

The general education levels, awareness of the dangers, concept of consequence and consideration for others on the roads in Thailand is such that any activity where Vehicles (motorcycles and cars) are mixed with much slower traffic (cycling or pedestrian) there is a significant increase in the risk of serious injury no matter what precautions you take or how dramatically heightened your awareness is...  

 

Its a balance, quality of life, enjoyment etc must be balanced off against the risks which we all evaluate differently. 

2 hours ago, Deserted said:

I was in the inside lane as the video shows, I then moved to the middle lane and shouldn't have, certainly not so quickly as I did. The error of judgement was mine yes but the taxi triggered that the reaction that became that error. The root of the fault lies there as he had enough road to go round me (according to the driver) but the principal mistake was mine. Like you said we all know taxi drivers can be like that but I take that route home so often I was also caught off-guard by it not being as empty as it usually is. In addition, I had not even cycled 200 meters when it happened. I just wasn't focused enough in time. Silly, I know.   

 

Fair enough...  when the Taxi driver was papping his horn and making a general ass of himself behind you, I'm curious why you would pull out to the right into the second lane instead of pulling over towards the curb on the left ?

 

 

You must be a city person. Before I met the gf she had never been on a train. let alone a plane, never been to Bangkok, never had a holiday because she had to work and suppport her family.
Reads like a snotty nose to me.

We each justify our experiences...

For many, myself included, the differences and gulf in life experiences would just be too great to find any common ground with someone who can't even book a hotel room....

You may call that snotty, others call it common sense. I call it not shacking up with the first poverty stricken sapling who's only future is the pocket of a western prince.....





Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

9 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Most come from families of very simple means. In addition, when children are involved- they are not getting support from the children's father.  I would never assume a thai from this background would ever understand much of anything about hotel deposits; booking deadlines; cancellation etc. Why would you?  They do not have the same experience as we Westerners have.

I hold to my original premise- the ignorant one is the  Op because he did not explain to his consort the facts. In addition, paying 12K Baht per night for a condo is ridiculous and his Girlfriend knew it. The OP should apologize to his girlfriend for over reaction and explain to her how things work when handling such a situation. He learned a 12,000 Baht lesson but I doubt he really understand why.

 

Quote

Most thais in a relationship with a Westerner have never been on vacation; do not use credit cards and certainly have never booked a hotel  period.

 

Really ???? Neve been on a vacation, don't use cards, never booked a hotel ???.... come again !!! ????

 

I'm left wondering if your only exposure to Thailand is with laborers, migrant workers and hookers... 

 

.... some comments I read on ThaiVisa.com really do make me wonder...  

 

I don't think I know any Thai's who don't have a credit card...  All of my Thai friends holiday regularly and they most certainly are literate enough to make a hotel booking !!!.

 

---------

 

12,000 baht - Is it one night or more than one night, i.e. 3 nights ? I didn't see where the Op specified one night. 

On 5/3/2017 at 7:18 AM, Deserted said:

It's risky but not crazy to cycle in Bangkok. After the 'Bike for Mom and Dad' thing, cycling has taken off here and there are many clubs around the city who do it all the time. I put 8000kms on my bike last year, nearly all of which were in the city. I was at 3914kms on Apr12th when the accident occurred. I have cycled here for many years and never had a problem. Most people back off a little when they see a bicycle. I changed lane too quickly because I had a taxi up my backside beeping away and became startled. That is what caused the accident. As with many things, one mistake can be fatal. IMHO the guys on the motorbikes are much more at risk because of their speed. I am usually between 28-32 kms per hour, that's not fast. I made a very poor decision under pressure and paid the price. I have taken that exact road home for 5 years now, I know it well. It was Songkran, it was midnight, I expected it to be almost empty but it wasn't quite that.

 

If you are cautious and experienced Bangkok isn't so bad to cycle in but yes it is risky and yes even on a 20km ride into the city, so many decisions have to be made. You do need to be at full concentration all the way. The one time I wasn't I paid the price.  

 

Not quite: You were in the middle lane blocking a taxi.... Thats what caused the incident.. (the route cause).

... rightly or wrongly so you were in the Taxi's way... this is how the Taxi driver see's it... You were blocking the whole middle lane.

Now... we all know that the Taxi driver was an ass... but many are... Being in the right and having right of way does not make you more safe. 

 

... You write, "as with many things, one mistake can be fatal".....   On a Bike in the central lane with traffic passing you on either side... 'one mistake is more likely to be fatal'... you failed to reduce your exposure to the risk. 

 

... As you well know, you were very very lucky...  but also foolish to be in such a position in the first place. 

12 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Westerners are taken for a ride to places they do not want daily in Thailand- It has been happening for  decades and will continue.  This is not a question of stupidity but being gullible and the fact that anyone with any sense would never pay 12,000 Baht for a condo/hotel  or as far as I am concerned never pay 6,000 Baht.

The truly ignorant person is the OP who expects a  Thai to understand how hotel bookings work and the cancellation policy.  In addition- if your only reason for 'supporting' a person is they are 'attractive'- you have some personality issues.

Reading over these answers reminds me of why Thai women became disgusted by Western men. They are selfish and arrogant. 

Keep yelling at her and one day you will come home and she won't be there.

 

I would argue that the Truly Ignorant person is someone who expects Thai't NOT to understand this stuff...  

 

 

8 minutes ago, robblok said:

Why do guys give their GF's an allowance. Do they rent them ? Can't they work themselves ? Would they not be their GF if no allowance. I never really got the allowance thing.

 

Never a girl friend...  But once my Wife had our son and stopped working I gave her an allowance, which I think is fair enough. My Brothers in Law also give my Sisters a monthly allowance (in the UK). 

 

That said, your question was about girlfriends... I too cannot understand why a guy would give a 'girlfriend' an allowance... unless it was long term, sort of like a common-law wife in the UK. 

 

In many cases it does appear like 'renting a girl friend'....  then I suspect that in many of these cases, if the money dried up so would the relationship - and there's your answer !!!

16 minutes ago, SICA said:

I have but in all honesty, i'm baffled!

 

My biggest confusion is if i need to apply for my youngest to be a British citizen before applying for the passport.....

 

If you were born in the UK your youngest automatically is a British Citizen. If I'm not mistaken there is no application for this. His passport, once received will also be proof of Nationality (Citizenship).

 

If I'm not mistaken, your 'full' Birth Certificate, and your name on your sons Birth Certificate are proof of his British Citizenship.

 

 

NOTE: the Foreign office Website is not always up to date with the information. When I applied for my Son's Passport, I was informed of the new requirement to have a 'Colour' photocopy of all pages of mine and my Wife's passport - This had not been updated on their Website and I only had Black and White copies... this delayed the application. 

I did this 3 years ago... 

 

I remember needing:

1) Colour photo copies of every page of my Passport. 

2) Colour photo copies of every page of my Wife's Passport (OR Original ID card).

3) Father Full British Birth Certificate

4) Photos of the child, 'True likeness' signed by a 'professional'...  (Childs Dr or Amphur office). 

5) Childs Thai Birth Certificate and Translation certified by Thai MFA (Ministry of foreign affairs). 

 

That info is off the top of my head and may have changed or be incomplete.

 

 

 

 

 

You also apply for your tax renewal online... 

 

https://www.dlt.go.th/th/

 

The English language part of the site is awful and doesn't have the correct links... 

In the Thai part of the site you can pay online and have the tax delivered. 

 

 

If the only reason you are not doing this yourself is to avoid the possibility of a fine - It may be worth just doing it yourself and risking the stop.

 

In Bangkok I was driving for 3 months before the BiB pulled me over and told me my tax was 3 months out of date. 

I gave him 100B and said thanks... I went to the DLT the next day and renewed my tax. 

 

 

 

We just renewed ours...  my Wife took care of it. I think she did it online. 

 

If your car is less than 5 years old it should be simple enough. 

 

What's it worth to you to have someone else travel to the DLT with your blue book and renew the tax for you?

I'd offer them 200 baht....  

 

BUT, I wouldn't let them go for me without arranging an agreed fee first, doing so would leave yourself open to an issue, especially if they are thinking they will get a quick B1000 while you are thinking to pay B100...  Agree a price first !!!

For *many items the real discount if any can only really be compared against purchasing the same goods internationally.

 

I once bought a Bell & Ross watch in Central World.

The 70,000 baht discount I eventually received made it slightly cheaper than purchasing the same watch in the US or the UK. 

 

 

*Only for items which can be hand carried easily. Obviously not for cars, homes, rent etc...

17 hours ago, sirineou said:

Two more months for me, I really thought I would be a lot more wiser by this time 

My Daughter from an other marriage is now twenty,  If I  live long enough to see her graduate I would also die happy. At the rate she is going.......

But I understand your feeling about your son, nothing will make me happier to see my daughters future secured.

My wife' s dad passed unexpectedly last year, and her mother is on dialysis, so her life expectancy is not very long, I hope we can find her a kidney transplant , but I am not optimistic.My wife offered but Mom will have non of it, even though we explained that was not very dangerous to my wife. 

Anyway I dont think Mom will be around for long.

She has a sister who is a very nice girl, but they dont get along very well, Perhaps as they get older. And then Aunts and uncles. I am thinking If she had a kid to keep her busy.

Perhaps I am a bit of a control freak, or ascribe to much importance to my existence, but the Thought of leaving her alone at a relatively young age distresses me. I would feel much better if we were closer in age.

 

 

For those with Children...  I ask an open and innocent question: 

 

How would you feel to see your 20-25 year old offspring dating or married to a 60 year old partner ?

 

Yes, of course we all want to see 'them' happy... I for one have a preference that my child meets someone of equal interest, desire, energy, dreams, passion etc etc.. most of this surely comes with similar age...??? No ?

 

I just couldn't imagine being with a 60 year old lady when I was 25 or 30...  But when I'm 60 being with 25 or 30 year old lady seems quite attractive... so much so I might just 'pull the wool over my own eyes' and use any justification possible to make myself feel better about it...  ... ...

 

.... heck..I'd probably just feel better about it anyway and hope others don't judge...

Which, I guess is what much of this thread is about.... 

 

.... so back to the question... What Age Gap is acceptable ?... I guess what really is acceptable is if the opposite party is making an informed and truly free choice... then any gap (legal) is acceptable.. 

 

...and herein begs the real question... What is a 'Truly Free Choice?'.....   because I don't know many 25 year olds who would freely go for a 60 year old unless they truly love them or have alternate reasons (values)... 

 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

"According to a United Nations convention on racial discrimination, there is no distinction between the terms "racial" and "ethnic" discrimination. The UN convention further concludes that superiority based on racial differentiation is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and there is no justification for racial discrimination, anywhere, in theory or in practice. (Source: Wiki).

 

Britons can be of different race or ethnicity. Suggesting that the crime automatically makes the accused of one specific background when it's not stated is discriminatory. 

 

 

 

Is a British person of different race than an English person ?

Re Samsung Service: Poor experiences here (not with a phone but with a Washing Machine). 

 

It broke, called numerous times to arrange a repair, finally got through. Repair men came, looked at the machine and said they needed to order a part and will be back in a few days. That was a week ago. We called Samsung who have no record of the visit or spare request !!!...  

 

Makes me want to avoid any Samsung equipment in future.. And after this thread, I'll definitely be avoiding Samsung Phones !

 

 

What happens on the Planes when they announce that people must not have the Note and if they do please alert the flight attendants ?

22 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Three obviously innocent people killed.

The pickup driver steering/loosing control to the opposite lane survived.

 

I don't get your point.

 

Read again.. 

 

Quote

The car was carrying three people – driver Suphachai Limtrakil, 69, his wife Anchalee Sriwittayabancha, 42, and their 14-year-old daughter. Mr Suphachai was killed. 

The truck was driven by Pornthanakrit Tunyasook, 33.

 

One innocent person was killed. 

 

The Wife (Anchalee 42) and Daughter (14) survived. The husband, Suphachai (69) was tragically killed.

 

The truck driver survived. 

 

------

 

Regardless, this is a common story, all too avoidable. 1 Careless aX%hole ruins a family... 

 

Quote

We initially believed that Mr Pornthanakrit was speeding, but since the crash happened in a bend in the road and it was raining, we think he may have lost control,” said the policeman.

 

Speeding then... too fast, skidded in the wet on the corner.

3 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Where does it say he was English?

 

Ah, just your own racism.

 

How could that be racist ??.... British Vs English ?... thats nothing to do with race.

 

The previous poster was also making a play on words with English LITter (English Literature... English Litter (trash)...   Your response seems a little over sensitive...

It seams that there is little value placed on peace and quiet in Thailand. 

 

Particularly when disturbing someone else's... 

 

-----

 

.... Someoene [starky] has already jumped on the Anti-Thai-Bashing bandwagon...  but the posters commenting thus far are known for their balance and fairness in addition to their fondness of Thailand.

 

IMO: When it comes to needless noise in Thailand it would be impossible to comment without it appearing like a criticism of Thailand... 

 

 

So, who's fault was it for leaving the bottle in the drivers footwell ?

 

... Must be Honda's for not supplying a trash bin in their vehicles... 

 

 

15 minutes ago, oldcarguy said:

How do you get a child to do this ?

 

you often see kids on planes who are hurting because they do not know how to "pop " them

 

I feel sorry for them

 

I find descent (depressurization) worse than ascent (depressurization). 

 

I get my 3 year old (more than 50 flights)...  to swallow, drink milk, yawn, blow his nose... 

 

The trick is not to wait until discomfort is felt, but to pre-empt any pressure build up, especially when descending. 

 

 

3 hours ago, transam said:

We are all different, I am heading for the end of my seventh decade but go to the gym 3 times a week to lift weights.....Our 21 year old lad will NOT come to the gym with me.....He knows the old boy will trounce him even though he is taller than me......It makes me smile.though....I have had Thai blokes at our house laugh and offer me out in arm wrestling, they went home not happy.....Great fun........

 

I think a lot of the issue is about attitudes... ours in discussion, and those who we discuss... 

... when discussing older men with younger girls and kids in tow we tend to picture a wrung out old wrinkly sap talking broken Pidgin English dragging around a poor little unwanted child...  I have seen this, but it is far from the norm... 

 

In genuine, loving, caring and mutually respectful relationships there are no boundaries...  anything is ok...  

 

 

10 minutes ago, FredNL said:

Yesterday evening around midnight tying to take a taxi from Asok to Fortune Town. I was just too late for the MRT.

It took me more than one hour to get a cab. Getting refused or asking prices from 400 to 500 Baht for a 40 THB trip. 

 

Yep - I've had this issue many times... I Always rely on Uber... 

 

However, the other day I thought, I'll just try the taxi's again...... I got in, speaking Thai I asked to be sent to my location, the driver replied that it was so close and asked why didn't I take a motorcycle? I replied that I didn't want to, its too dangerous to take a motorcycle.... 

 

The taxi complained all the way home... he complained himself out of a decent tip...  then huffed when I gave him 60 baht for a 45 baht journey...  after that I nearly demanded change... 

 

The issue I have - Why should a simple trip home result in any form of unnecessary sour feeling or stress ???  IMO many of these guys behave like pigs.... In Thailand the Taxi's are the best marketing Campaign UBER have !!!!

11 minutes ago, billd766 said:

 

And that is your sole reason for condemning oldies?

 

There are far more important things that can be done with children than playing sport. You can help them prepare for real life for starters.

 

What percentage of men or women are successful enough to earn enough money in sports as a percentage of the world population compared to those who actually work for a living.

 

A somewhat valid point is made... at 42 years old (with a 3 year old son), I feel I have less energy than I did at 32 years old - Such that at 50 years Old when my Son is 11,  I may no longer feel the 'urge' to get up and swim with my son, to play football with him, to take him to so many places, camping in the UK etc... my Son may miss out a little on 'Dad-Activities' because I am older...  I have to be conscious of this, remain active and mentally committed to doing activities with my child... perhaps push myself a little where as if I were younger these activities may come more naturally. 

 

Everyone is different and have different energy levels, I feel the age argument and lack energy as we get older is a valid point in this thread. As you point out, its not the be all and end all... Parenting involves many skills, but all other things being equal - I myself would have more energy for my Son if I were 10 years younger. 

 

I remember playing football and cricket with my father - these memories are special, I'd like to give my son similar experiences....  At 70 years old, this would not be possible. 

 

 

 

22 minutes ago, KIWIBATCH said:

Several Thai female friends of mine refuse to use the mafia run taxis..citing constant hassles with the drivers...mainly sexual overtones/suggestions in lieu of paying the fare....etc etc. Instead they use Uber...quick check on the Uber app..driver calls back minutes later...pickup/dropoff door to door....taxi fare given and agreed too via the app........

 

Versus.....(need I say more)....the double rapist comes to mind..... the longer the authorities take to vet and check the background of some of these mongrols currently driving the "other" taxis in and around BKK....the more folk will opt to use Uber.....but they just don't get it....instead they choose to make Uber jump through hoops to operate an excellent service....on the pretence that Uber is  “destroying the public transport system in the area”......destroying it????......No..enhancing and improving it

 

 

 

Indeed - Along with many other females I know, my Wife has always refused to take a Taxi alone after dark...  It's simply too dangerous for them. The risk of a sexual attack is simply too much. 

 

Taxi drivers in general have no accountability. 

 

I do like the UBER and GRAB system which had a 'double accountability' both the passenger and driver are registered. This also makes it safer for the drivers too.