richard_smith237

An astonishing degree of 'friends' seems to end up killing each other in Thailand when boozed up... While in other area's the booze may drive people towards aggression and they they end up fighting, it seems there remains some restraint, in Thailand, particularly amongst those lower down on the notches of the socio-totempole they don't stop at fighting, but carryout their aggression to the death.

We've used numerous options in the past. We've have the water filter, with three filters... (which include activated carbon, reverse osmosis and UV)... After six months we'd forget to change the filter and when we did it was horribly cruddy... so the filters are extremly effective, but we may go through more filters if the water source is dirtier. We now use 'Sprinkle' for our drinking water needs... I don't like having the large water bottles around but the service is undeniably professional.

Well, this marks a significant deviation from the typical scenario....

I believe everyone fully agrees with Bob that encountering subpar food is not uncommon. In this instance, the food was undeniably below standard and inedible. It is not unusual for incorrect dishes to be served, when dining at certain restaurants, even when my wife orders, we sometimes receive the wrong order. Issues such as poor food quality, undercooked meals, and incorrect orders are not exactly uncommon occurrences - we learn to roll with it. What stands out as particularly unusual for most of us, yet seems to happen with disconcerting regularity for Bob, is the negative human interaction he experiences when dealing with Thais. The only logical deduction is that Bob, for whom such encounters are the norm, somehow invites these experiences upon himself. Conversely, for the vast majority of us, such occurrences remain somewhat alien and outside the usual realm of experience.

Fair enough.... ... looking forwards to your next whinge about how badly Thai's treat you...

Bingo - if everyone did this... then the place wouldn't still be around serving rubbish food... But, as mentioned earlier... in Thailand we have to chose the restaurants in which we order 'Western food' a little more carefully... as the chefs / owner may want to cater to a wider clientele, especially in an area of higher tourist footfall, but may not have the requisite cooking experience or knowledge... that seems so in this case.

Given your content... ... You're asking the impossible !!!... You cause everyone to judge you bob... thats why you face the issues you do.

Ah, that explains it... BTW - as you work overseas - you know you can get a second passport ??... this eradicates the issue you are facing with working overseas, but needing to renew a passport but not having a great deal of time to do so while still needing your passport for travel. To your specific question: Passport renewal in Bangkok is still have VFS at the Trendy Building, on Sukhimvit Soi 13 (Bangkok). You'll need to email VFS and book an appointment.

It's free bob... You're a charity case !!

....I must be Thai then! bob. There it is; your bigotry. It's not directed at just a few Thais but generaliaed against all Thais. This is precisely why you have negative encounters. Your attitudes are very transparent on this forum and must be equally evident to those around you. As mentioned, your issues are self-perpetuating.

Correct... You were clearly not at fault for the poor quality of food... I don't think anyone is suggesting you are. But, you may well have been at fault for the negative encounter with the waitress and their responding attitudes towards you... This is an issue you repeatedly fail to identify becase you are unable to self reflect.

I agree. Although he doesn't blame the entire world, he directs his resentment towards Thais, having become prejudiced against them. "Familiarity breeds contempt" is a concept many of us understand and address, but not Bob. If he were to live in another country, whether Costa Rica, Mexico, Malaysia, Cambodia, France, or Australia, once the initial novelty wears off, he would likely begin to focus on negative aspects and encounters. This would magnify his negative outlook, perpetuating further negative experiences. He clearly lacks the ability to self-reflect and thus places the blame on others.

The waitress spoke English well... Fully understood your complaint, which, of course was perfectly polite and respectful... hmm... Yet the waitress 'threw the plate down on the table. No apology, no sorry sir, nothing'... Even in your comments your attitude of superiority shines through - you want a waitress to call you 'sir'... ? Bob... if this was a one-off, it might be argued that this was just a surly waitress... But, as you pointed out, this isn't an isolated incident. You have so many issues, all the time with Thai's... the issue is so very clearly you !!!

One of the things I never eat in Hotels in Thailand is a burger (from rooms service or otherwise)... It seems they never get them correct... I'd also not order 'Western food' from a restaurant that looks more like a local Thai restaurant trying to cover all bases... And, I'd never a burger from anywhere other than a dedicated 'burger restaurant'... as they rarely do a decent job... So as far as the quality of food is concerned - bob's comments are very realistic... However, it would of no surprise that the quality of interaction he encountered is solely down to his attitude. Being a 'fly on the wall', I'm sure we'd all identify this issue, but bob seems incredibly thick skinned and insulated to the point of being completely oblivious to how he comes across to Thai's...

@richard_smith237 This, I think, is the crux of the matter. They just can't handle any form of criticism! bob. Your bias shining through again... You cherry picked part of steven's quote that suits your rhetoric... You ignored the 'lack of communication' comment... as this be admitting a failing on your part.

the constant is Thai people. I never face such issues with people from other nationalities. funny, eh? bob. Wrong again... The 'constant' is YOU and Thai-People.... If you have an underlying negative demeanour towards Thai's... that will be picked up. Your posting history is not one that is ever complimentary towards Thai's.. the natural assumption is that you simply dislike all Thai people... a sense of bigotry shines through. Given your open attitudes on this forum, I'm quite sure all the Thai's I know would find you quite objectionable... you would of course blame them for being Thai... instead of looking at yourself and how you treat Thai's...

What is it with underwear thieves in this country ??... Is this the 'contagion effect'? .... Because such events occur and are often sensationalised, they inspire more individuals within that society to adopt similar ideas.

that's a question only the waitresses can answer! bob. Wrong.... that waitress is not present at all your other negative encounters... There is only one constant in all of the issues you face with Thai people...

....Amazing Thailand, eh? bob. Nope... Thats your negative bias shining though again, you've generalised a nation with your sarcastic slur... (Sarcastic) - "Amazing 'some of Thailand', eh?"... would be more accurate, but it doesn't roll off the tongue as well and the balance does not fit your 'all Thai's bad' rhetoric.

... Though, giving your posting history, bob... It might be argued that you are far from being 'the standard customer'... So many of these issues you write of scream out... 'Look inwards'..... i.e. take a look at your own attitudes and behavior and see how that influences the response of others... Why are you having so many difficulties and negative experiences in waters others navigate without any issue.

Bo!!ox... Your bias is showing... There are plenty of places in the UK with poor service. In fact, some of my family in the UK recently shared a terrible restaurant experience. While you might encounter less surliness in the UK, it often depends on how respectfully the situation is managed. Bob, considering your attitude towards Thais, the waitress’s response might have been influenced by how you spoke to her. It seems likely that many of the situations you complain about are of your own making.

Indeed... Crappy food and crappy service is not a uniquely Thai issue... However, the frequency with which problems are faced seems to be a 'uniquely bob smith problem... Perhaps not the rubbish food he received, but perhaps the level of response can be but down to a bit of 'bob-smithery'...

It’s you Bob… The manner of response you received is perhaps the way you complained ? ”told her to take it away”…. Possibly a language issue… she didn’t understand the issue ? In some cases complaints are not welcomed, it could be that. It could be your demeanour - given the numerous issues you face with Thais, it could be assumed that this is the issue. Just don’t go there again, poor food…

If this was an article in 'The Thaiger' !!! In Thailand, the distinction between 95 and 97 petrol is akin to choosing between two exquisite wines, each with its own allure for the passionate car enthusiast. The magic lies in their octane ratings, a measure of the fuel's prowess to resist the unsettling knocks or pings during the fiery dance of combustion. 95 Petrol: With an octane rating of 95, this fuel is the steadfast companion for most regular cars, the everyday hero of the Thai roads. It's the reliable choice, trusted by many to keep their journeys smooth and steady. 97 Petrol: Now, 97 petrol, with its higher octane rating around 97, is the darling of high-performance aficionados. It's the premium, the crème de la crème, reserved for vehicles that demand more – the sleek, the powerful, the ones that crave a bit more zest in their engine's performance. This petrol promises a smoother ride, whispering the promise of enhanced efficiency and a touch more grace on the open road. While using this higher-octane nectar when it's not required may not transform your car into a beast, using a lower octane than your car's soul desires can lead to a disheartening rattle and a drop in performance. Always heed the wisdom of your car's manual or the whispers of the manufacturer to ensure you choose the fuel that lets your beloved vehicle sing its sweetest song. Gotta love chatGPT !!!

After roo860's second post - perhaps this is now getting the media attention it deserves..... ... will we see similar netizen outrage to that when a foreigner attacks a Thai ?