richard_smith237

I agree with you.... I think smoking in public unless in a specified / designated smoking area should be banned out right. But, I also sympathised a little with smokers, if they want to smoke, there should be area's where they can smoke.... it can't just be 'banned everywhere'... But... I would also state that throwing buckets of water at people (Songkran excluded) is also obnoxious behavior.

I get wine delivered all the time (12-24 bottles)..... No issues whatsoever.

Ultimately - this is why we nearly always just drive - the added time at each end getting to & from the BTS stations make it not worth it for us…

I think I predicated this in one of the others threads… Next - tourist boat capsizes….

Yeah... removes a lot of hassle... Though depending on your destination - getting into town can be somewhat inconvenient given the 'linkup' for 'park and ride' options. Options 1) Park at Airport and use Airport Express Train 2) Park at Samrong - use Sukumvit line (Google Maps link) - There is a 70 baht per day car part near Samrong BTS. The Yellow Line (from Srinakarin) would involve multiple train changes to get into the centre of town (i.e. Phrom Pong to Siam).

Completely agree with that... I think some People Park at Bitek and take the BTS from Bang Na. That said, your point is a solid one - there should be plenty of very convenient free options to park at somewhere such as Mega Bang Na... and get a fast (20min) BTS into central Bangkok. Bangkoks traffic can be horrendous, but years ago they invested in the Expressways which are excellent - I would never have lived in Bangkok if it didn't have expressways to get around quickly (relatively). The BTS / MRT is good and getting better... but I still only use it a few times per year because the car is still more convenient for me.

I'm wondering how they could possibly put this into practice without causing further congestion given the current tech. Perhaps something similar to the ULEZ cameras in the UK that simply identify the numberplate and 'auto-charge' the car owners account. But... at the moment, we have significant queues on the Expressway at peak hour because cars are forced to stop at the Toll Booth because they systems are decades old, instead of being able to drive Past lane cameras at normal speeds... (and then get a Digital charge). Perhaps a 'general congestion charge' could work for Bangkok... But it would have to be expensive enough to be prohibitive to want to drive in central Bangkok. Then there is the issue of so many people living in central Bangkok, so many more Condo's going up etc... BUT... even with massive improvements in public transport, the only way I see that congestion can be controlled is with expense.

Possibly some of it - but dual charging also exists - there are actually 4 different pricing bands (as per the article linked above). Thats outstanding... (hope you've recovered). In the UK foreigners applying for Residency / Nationality have to pay a Immigration Health Surcharge of £3,105 (for 2 years and 9 months) of ILR. Thats about £1130 per year (THB 50,000) - but after securing residency, NHS health care is free. What concerns me in Thailand would be getting something nasty in my 70's (decades away yet), but I doubt I'll be happy paying for private health care at that age (I expect it would be crazy expensive by then)... Thus: I'd be paying out of pocked for treatment at Government hospitals - but something such as cancer treatment or something similar and long term could become costly... ... It would be great if 'we' long-term foreigners could pay in Thailands Health System and receive Government health care (as if insured).

If they don't let you do things the way 'you want' then why buy from the shop ? - just don't deal with the hassle of something questionable. Theoretically, they can register the bike in your name instantly, but that means they will have to go to the DLT with you, or issue you with Power of Attorney documents (that give permission for you to register the bike in your own name).

There was the case in Hua Hin where a Dutch patient faced dual charging (was charged more) for Cancer treatment than Thai's... He filed a case with the courts who ultimately rejected - Dual Charging is not illegal in Thai Hospitals. i.e. the Government agrees with dual pricing of foreigners in Hospitals and it exists, even if you haven't experienced it.

[edit] - I think the 'Farang Dr' must have the following He may not necessarily need to have studied medicine in Thailand to practice here, but a foreign Dr. would need to meet several requirements and go through a licensing process: Recognition of Medical Degree: medical degree abroad, it must be from a university recognised by the Medical Council of Thailand. Degrees from countries like the U.S., U.K., and certain other countries are commonly accepted. Thai Medical Licensing Examination (TMLE): Foreign-trained doctors must pass the TMLE to receive a Thai medical license. This exam is conducted in Thai and covers medical knowledge, practical skills, and clinical applications. Language Requirement: Since the TMLE and medical practice in Thailand are largely conducted in Thai, proficiency in the Thai language is essential. Some hospitals and clinics catering to foreigners may not require as high a level of Thai proficiency, but the licensing exam will still be in Thai. Internship: In certain cases, foreign-trained doctors may be required to complete a period of internship at a Thai hospital to familiarise themselves with local medical practices and procedures. Medical Council Registration: Once the TMLE is passed, a Dr must meet any additional internship requirements and must register with the Medical Council of Thailand to practice legally.

Regarding the point of the Op and comparison with costs back in Aus... I'll also draw comparisons with the UK. Having suffered too many injuries in the past couple of years I've ended up having three operations. In Thailand was able to: - Get a next day appointment - Get a next day MRI with afternoon follow up for results - Very quickly receive medical treatment (Operation - within 2-5 days in all cases) This of course was costly: Arthroscopic (knee / ankle - Approx 330,000 to 450,000 baht in total each time - insurance covered this). Conversely, in the UK (NHS), I know two people who waited months and months. - One who waited 8 months - in constant pain - Another who waited 2 years - in terrible pain and struggled to walk Thus: While the costs here are high, and increasing, access to great medical care is also outstanding. Beyond considerations of timing and efficiency, another defining aspect of the medical industry here is the emphasis on thorough testing - if there is a test available, it will be administered. While we must exercise caution to avoid unnecessary procedures, this approach ensures comprehensive care. Conversely, in the UK, a potentially necessary test may sometimes be bypassed due to cost constraints or limited availability. The only issue with the healthcare in Thailand that I have is the cost of insurance - as we get older, getting solid health insurance cover will become more and more expensive to the point of it being prohibitive. The public healthcare sector here is also good (in many hospitals, obviously poor in others), so its cheaper than private - but there is no 'national health care' for those of us living here full time which is a concern as we get older.

I am willing to be proved wrong, but I call total BS on this as foreign doctors are not permitted to service the public in Thailand. That was my take on the story.. I've never seen a Non-Thai Doctor in Thailand as its a 'protected' profession / industry and Dr's can only practice medicine in Thailand if they studied Medicine in Thailand.

Thats a rip off - Bumrungrad (which is arguably the Best Private Hospital in Thailand) is less than half that...

I think this amusing dig at another poster has gone way over the heads of many posters.

There is the heat and humidity as well.... People will take the car rather than walk in the heat unless taking the car becomes prohibitively expensive (as Singapore). At the moment - We'd have to take a taxi to the Sky Train, use the Sky-Train, then tax a Taxi again at the 'other end'... or sit in traffic for about the same amount of time - there's no point not to take the car. Its only when when know congestion is going to be horrific and our destination is near a Sky Train Station that we'll drive to Tesco's and Park up.

There are quite a few spots but it depends from which direction you are coming. When we need to get into the centre of town Asoke-Chitlom-Siam areas on a busy day (any evening / Sat) we park at Tesco's On-Nut.

1) The Tax can be obtained online and gets posted to your house (Wife & I did this about 2 months ago). 2) Now you have fallen behind, I'm not sure you can do this online as you have to pay a small fine. 3) Go to your nearest DLT and they'll deal it easily - charge back-pay for missing tax plus a tiny fine. 4) The issue for you at the moment, is while having no tax and risking fines etc.

I avoid the 'regular taxi' option in these Apps as it then nudges us towards the privateers rather than regular taxi's, this helps avoid much of the BS and stunts a regular taxi driver attempts to pull - it's just in their blood !!!... BUT... sometimes I found 'Thainess' to have slipped in... I book ride which is accepted, then don't see the vehicle moving for 5 mins or more... and I have to cancel. I assume either driver took the ride while stopping off to eat and figured I'd wait for him. OR, the driver didn't want the journey but has to accept as he is one of those nearby and as per their terms they have to accept so many rides that come up on their driver app - when they don't want the ride they just wait us out without moving forcing us to cancel. In this case (with the Op) I suspect the Driver didn't know the area, ended up the wrong way, tried to recover... took longer then thought as the journey was longer he wanted more money. I've just started using the premium options more to avoid the BS.

Not to be taking extra KM's out of the way and to be charged more than the App states... I think you missed that point.

I agree with this part 100%.... the Brit was an inconsiderate pr!ck... I've not deviated from that aspect of this at all. This I disagree with - I 'suspect' the situation escalated the way it did purely because of the way the Thai's spoke - I don't believe for a second that they asked the Brit Politely... I've seen the way Thai's react with a hair-trigger at situations like this and go from zero to boiling in an instant. Of course, we don't know that because the video only shows the 'fight' not the trigger and what led up to the conflict. I also agree with this - people who behave antisocially in public are better out out of the way. But, the video show's him very angry - Did he go from Zero to 100 degrees boiling hot for simply being asked very politely to extinguish his cigaretted - I doubt it, I'm guessing the tone and lauguage used against him triggered his anger (snowflake indeed), nevertheless, it is my suspicion that the situation was handled very poorly by all concerned... This was not a one sided conflict.

Whenever we go to a hotel / beach resort etc... we take a cool-bag... It can fit, wine, water, a few beers, gin, tonics etc... a couple of plastic-glass looking beakers... Then I have what I want... either sat around the pool, or on the beach etc... Just this week.... we were away, on Thursday afternoon I was told it was a Buddha day and I couldn't buy beer at the pool bar (or in restaurants).... ... No issues... I had my cooler bag.... and could chill with a cold one while in and out of the pool messing around with the Wife and Son.... I think - IF someone specifically wants a decent 'pool bar' their best option is to short list their hotels, then call up and ask to speak with a duty manager - get his confirmation that the pool bars are open.

I would say that it was , because all the illegal markets and food stalls got closed down a few years ago and removed from the streets and its just the legal ones left Just like the crackdowns on wearing helmets, inspections of bars and the result is no hookers found in Pattaya, just like the crackdowns on crossing the road etc... ... As soon as there is a spare open space left for a few weeks or more, a few stalls start up and before we know it there is a 'pop-up market'... Anyway - its somewhat irelevant.... Even if the guy was 5m away, in the open and his smoke was blowing towards somewhere / someone... and someone asks if he can extinguish his cigarette - his first course of action should have been to either move further away or apologies and extinguish said cigarette.... BUT.. that response would depend very much on how he is treated. A lot of these issues depend upon how things are handled. I remember being 'up country' in Mae Sot and not being able to find a parking space close to a restaurant I was going to. So, I tried to park on the side of the street but there were stools blocking parking.... the owner of a shop (who's stool was blocking the spot) was watching, I got out of my car, gave here a wai and asked (in Thail) it it was ok I parked there for 20 minutes.... the grumpy looking old boot melted into a smiling old dear and said no problem.... ... However, if she had started screaming at me that I can't park there, she may have received a less than wholesome response before I drove off. SO.... I think a lot of this issue depends upon 'how' the guy was asked or 'told' to stop smoking - I alluded to this earlier.... more than the actually legalities involved etc - this issue has everything to do with the manner in which human interaction failed.

Yep…. That’s a valid point - I completely agree with you on that. Was the market legally zoned ??? That’s the point I was making about going down the rabbit hole of ‘legality’ when everyone was breaching some technicality or law…. I don’t know that the market was one of those pop-up markets that breach zoning regulations or not - many are in breach of regulations, it’s a common issue which is why the legal questions can end up down a daft rabbit hole of uncertainty. It opens to a can of worms that starts to get silly when the real issue was both an idiot Brit & two idiot Thais were behaving very poorly.

It is illegal to smoke in markets , its irrelevant as to who put the sign there . Its the law in Thailand , no smoking in markets Agreed…. But was he in the market ? or was he outside of the market on the pavement / road. That’s not condoning his actions - IMO the law is of little relevance here…. he should not have been smoking in that area out of common decency. But, is ppl are going to get pedantic we could end up down quite a rabbit hole arguing that the market is encroaching on the side walk… is that legal etc etc… .., it all kind of misses the issue.