richard_smith237

Respect to you for that - but did we watch the same video ? - the lady didn't shout at or grab the police officers. But, they did raise their voice and and grab her - which, at the time was not necessary at all IMO. They lady had been 'trying' to pay for two hours (digitally it seems) - and what was the bill, a few hundred baht ? I am wondering which facts you are positive about which warrants physically handling the lady ? Does it - because if my Credit Card or PromptPay fails then I'm in the same boat.... as would many of us... I'd throw a good guess out there and assume that had this been you or I, our wives or any of our 'respectable' friends the situation would have been quite different and resolved amicably by simply leaving our details and making an agreement to send the funds the following day. So you are judging one person who 'at that time' found themselves unable to pay due to a digital error (it seems), is deserving of being treated like a Dog ?... Don't you think thats excessive - don't you see the mentally unhinged excess in that statement ? I found myself exceeding the speed-limit on the expressway yesterday - worthy of arrest, deportation and black-listing - you reckon ?? - us hardened criminals should be deported and black-listed.... This is the issue I'm getting at - Your reaction: [arrest her, put her in jail for 3 months and if still unable to pay fine, an additional period after which deport her and not let her back in.] is not in alignment with any sense of resonable thought. The reason I've responded to you - is that you put together a comment which even with your own hindsight is excessive in the extreme - it was just a meal which she had difficult paying for... No violent crime, no assault, no attack, no cold-theft etc.... there's a strong element of 'just awkward and unfortunate circumstances' and you'd see her jailed for 3 months... Its ridiculously extreme.

She has no right to touch him and wouldn't be there if she paid for what she ordered. I disagree - the Police are being overly-assertive in a situation that does not require any assertion (at that point in time).... In the past I've been stopped by the BiB for 'just walking down Sukhumvit rd'... ... I stop and am polite, but when they grab my arm, I tell them to 'Let go'... when the reach to put their hands in my pockets, I tell them "No !"... and take their hands and stop them from going in to my pockets.... ... I then empty my pockets in front of them and leave the pockets turned inside out... I hold all items in my hands (wallet and phone), I open my wallet and let them see inside... ... They can the pat me down, check my pockets etc. This is not the USA... Co-operation is simple when the police are not over-stepping their mark. However, in this case the woman seems not to be co-operating, but neither is she trying to do a runner - she is simply in a 'sticky-spot' unable to pay her bill because her banking apps are not working. It seems the lady has tried for 2 hours to pay her Bill and something is wrong with her digital Banking. This is surely an easy enough situation do deal without police 'trying to take hold of her an restrain her'.... I suspect had this been a White Western lady or Male, they'd have simply been able to leave their details with the restaurant and pay again on another day - Perhaps 'racism' is a facet of this interaction, its difficult to tell.

Ah yes, because clearly the only sane, proportionate response to someone unable to cover a few hundred baht for their food is to arrest, jail, deportation, and black-list them.... ..... Perfectly rational. Not in the least bit the musing of someone mentally deranged and seriously unhinged... Tell me - when the chemical fog lifts, be it booze, pills, or whatever cocktail you’ve overindulged in... do you ever scroll back through your posts and think, “Good grief, which lobotomised halfwit typed that?”

Views: a) They are innocently naive and dont realise / can't imagine how this would work. b) You are being taken for a mug.

Yep... I think more to the point of Jacks question is.. ... "Oh shoot... we're getting low on 'Midori'... how will I keep up with the demand for 'fuzzy navels ?.... which local shop can I hit up for delivery... ??....."

I can here.. but that needs to be in advance... I even found out how in Dubai during quarantine in the middle of Covid !!!

The US is not exactly a bench-mark for global quality when it comes to policing... She didn't pay her bill.. But neither do I see her being rude... But.. She didn't pay, what else could they do ???

In that case - Wine Pro for Wine... Thought I'm not sure 'they' do Instant delivery, Grab can pick up for you etc... (though I wouldn't want 8000 bahts worth of wine on a Grab bike - best to leave delivery of that to their responsibility) We've found solutions loads of times - but its usually when running an empty fridge at 10pm etc.. We've even hit up a WineConnection in the past - put in an order and they used Grab to deliver.

In the past when having parties etc... We've taken the 'informal route' of using Grab... .. Getting them to pick up a load of booze, and then deliver it. They'll ride around (or usually already know of a place) where they can circumnavigate the 2-5pm rule... That said, after midnight - I've never tried... Where are you ? There are solutions everywhere when digging, someone will know someone... Even if you get the 'contact' (i.e. Line) of a local Mom and Pop shop and see if they can deal with direct delivery on an informal basis. Or... Just going back to the 'Grab' Guys (if you have them nearby).

I may be mistaken, but I am under the impression that Immigration information and even arrests history etc is not shared across countries. ... Thats why Interpol have to issue notices and certain jobs require police clearance certification from our home nations.... ... So... with that in mind - No, Thai Immigration will have no idea (though, my answer is conjecture based solely on that knowledge).

You never herd about the young lady from Ealing ?....

I don't know why you got so many 'thumbs down' for that post - your comments... Yes, you and I usually argue a lot - but I judge each post and thread based on their merit - you are spot on with the above comment

When I was younger, a close friend was killed because a guy was changing over his tape in his car and drifted head on into her... We can apply bias however we want... but the same careless idiots will do the same careless things whatever the tech.... Good point - On a flight very recenelty an irritable cretin played videos on his phone with his seat partner... for all around to hear... it took all my reserve not to speak up. Again, agree... But, that depends on the circles with whom we 'interact'... Even recently, I've never attended social event (wedding etc) or a dinner party, or regular dinner at a friends where any friends spent more than fleeting moment glancing at a message.... phones mostly used for photos... People still have manners... but those who don't never had and never will.

Thats as I understand it. He left his wallet (money), house keys, etc in his motorcycle... Then the BiB took it as it was parked alongside every other bike, albeit illegally, as every other bike was - he just fell foul of a crack-down.... So.. why didn't he recover his bike that evening ? possible ? did he even know where to go ? ... Perhaps not, so not wanting to sleep on the street for the night and having no money - he broke into his own accommodation - which was probably rented, hence he probably had to pay for damages. Nothing more to see here, no drama - apart from a couple of the usual "hang-him, deport him... I wanna be the only special farang here" crowd... All of that said: surely he had his phone with him and can make Digital payments. ----------- I've nearly had to break into my own place a couple of times. I've gone out, forgot my keys, got home, wife is fast asleep, no amount of door knocking or phone her is waking her from her slumber... I thought I'd have to go and get a hotel for the night (which would have looked really dodgy)... We now have a digital lock - can't forget the keys.

Where would you find your 'charging station' when out on the road ? ... and then how would you pay for it ? People like you and I would come unstuck quite quickly without a smart phone - they are integrated into our lives. But as you wrote - IF no internet, then then a smart phone becomes somewhat moot....

Why ??? are YOU unhappy because of your smart phone ?

Did you do any of those things before the smart phone. It was possible. Some, I couldn't... but I'd have to arrange my life a different way. Can I live without a Smartphone ??... Most certainly... Do want to ? Absolutely not.... But, as with anything, pretty much everything.... there comes a level of responsibility, whether it be drinking beer, eating food, using a smart device or driving... ... The worst, the most sociably inept, the poorerst mannered should not be dictataing our opinions on these devices. .... I don't judge restaurants because some buffoons have no dining habits. .... I don't judge beer because some people can't take their alcohol and act like idiots. .... I don't judge cars because some idiots drink drive. .... I don't judge smart devices because some fail to use them to their advantage or fail to control their use. I caught my son trying to eat and use his iPad at the same time yesterday - we had serious words. We go out for dinner regularly, phones off the table (or at least 'face down' if one of us are expecting a call). My Son is on his iPad now... Chilled relaxed, watching his iPad (YouTube) how to make a football... He'd previously cooked his own dinner (he wanted to - and cooked Tomato and mozzarella gnocchi bake) I'm on this forum... Everything is about balance...

Dream on - With that attitude - I don't think you have much to worry about... not many people are likely to endear themselves to you and open up personally with photos of family.

Yes they do... The issue in your examples are not the smart phones - the issue terrible standards of parenting. iPads are incredible education devices, outstanding - but they can also become abused IF parents are careless and lazy. At the weekend my Son gets his few hours on his iPad - he keeps in touch and plays games with friends who have since moved overseas, its lovely. On school days my son leaves home early in the morning, does 2 hours of ECA (football, basketball, swimming, craft, etc) which usually involves his friends too... then they disperse to their homes for they are not in the same living community (its a long day) - so its not the same as when I was a kid and could hang out at the local sports field and get muddy... ... these devices have helped maintain social interaction... ... I'm amazed at what my son has picked up from videos and online learning for run - but he has to be guided on some of the dumb stuff I don't want him watching. Regarding critics of such devices (where children are concerned) - it seems the most vocal nay-sayers are boomers without children looking down on generations below them and picking out the worse they can see. Personally, I'm in a few football groups, I hear guys saying, "I can't join, I deleted my facebook, it was taking over my life" ... I can't believe people are so weak.

Its this topic really 'just about smart phones'... Or is it about the 'tech' age - where most of us have access to Information and convenience at our fingertips through computers, iPads and Smart Phones ?? All of the criticisms of smart phones could be levied at any of the technological devices we've become accustomed to using.

It is ? I've just done some Banking on my smart phone - took 5 mins while enjoying a coffee... No need to go to a bank, use an ATM card... I have cash in my wallet I haven't touched for months. IMO - the negatives of 'Social Media' are easy enough to stop - by not paying attention to it and being able to identify the trolls and click-baiters for what they are. Sites like this are different, they're the equivalent of watching netflix or reading a book, passing the time in a different way... we can be reading the (real) news, and discussing some local event at the same time... But, thats social media - and its accessible without smart phones on a laptop.

Smart phones are amazing devices... My life has become far more convenient because of them. It hasn't changed, I'm still able to socialise as much as I ever wanted to, they're great for arranging sporting events (various football and sports groups). Awesome for keep in touch with the family overseas, with my Wife here when out and about separately through the day. Information at our finger tips... Cinema tomorrow ? sure... info at our finger tips. The social media aspect - I think is great: I love to see how my friends are getting on in the UK when they post photos of their family, one of their children has reached a milestone. As far as the toxic side of social media - It ONYL influences us as much as we allow it it - So have any of the Snapchat, Insta, Facebook, X on your phone etc if you want... I can't be bothered with that stuff, other can and thats up to them.

Why ?.. is there anyone out there who doesn't know this is MBK ?

Similar situation... (not the separation) but the signing... My Wife was able to get 'SCB Bank' to accept a video, of me Signing an Affidavit on video, with my Passport Open and clearly visible at the same time... (and signing a copy of my passport) - Original Copies were posted. I'm not saying this will work for you - but this was a solution we found that worked for us while I was overseas.

I just want to dissect your comments because of the silliness throughout. Throughout human history, pandemics and deadly infectious diseases have occurred regularly, far more severe than a cold or flu. The Black Death (14th century), Spanish Flu (1918), smallpox, tuberculosis, and others killed tens of millions. The idea that we only dealt with mild viruses until now is simply incorrect. Assigning a name to a virus (like COVID-19) isn't about giving it a “personality” but about identifying and tracking specific pathogens. Viruses are always named and studied in modern epidemiology. It's part of how science works to understand and manage outbreaks effectively and the vary in their severity with antigenic drift. The idiocy with this one is astonishing: While individual viruses are smaller than the gaps in standard cloth or surgical masks, viruses don't travel alone. They hitch a ride in respiratory droplets, which are large enough to be blocked or reduced significantly by masks. Also, N95 and equivalent masks filter out over 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns, very effective against airborne virus-containing droplets. Policies during lockdowns often considered essential services and the ability to manage crowd control. Large stores could implement distancing, one-way systems, and sanitation more easily than small ones. It wasn't ideal, but it was a trade-off made under pressure and uncertainty, very easy for the Monday morning Quater-backers to criticise - but as you have highlighted you lack the technical knowledge for critical thought, even with 20/20 hindsight. While it's true that billionaires saw increased wealth during this period, similar wealth shifts have occurred across history: e.g. post-war booms, the industrial revolution, or the 2008 financial crisis bailouts. It’s not uniquely unprecedented, though it certainly deserves scrutiny. Government interventions also provided massive support to workers, renters, and businesses. As far as fear is concerned, that can be a factor, but compliance was also driven by solidarity, concern for the vulnerable, and trust in public health. Not everyone blindly followed orders - there was widespread debate, protest, and legal challenge throughout. People aren’t mindless; they were reacting to a real threat. As far as two meter distancing is concerned, while ventilation was an issue in many places, distancing still reduced transmission risk, especially when people were not confined together for long. Many establishments did invest in better airflow and HEPA filters. The point of distancing wasn’t to be perfect, but to reduce overall viral load exposure (again, something which requires a certain degree of understanding for the concept to sink in). Thus: all in all, the measures taken were based on real-time scientific advice, evolving data, and a genuine attempt to save lives in unprecedented circumstances. Mistakes were made, but suggesting it was all absurd or intentionally manipulated oversimplifies a deeply complex situation - and outs you as a rather unintelligent critic appealing to emotion rather than intelligence.