richard_smith237

I thought the Thai Government remarkably moderate and forward thinking when they legalised Marijuana - albeit with atrocious guidelines... and of course, ignoring the real reason of who would profit... The flip flopping is making a mockery of this... Fast Forward to earlier this year... and I was prescribed some pretty strong painkillers and after enduing a pretty serious sports injury. ... I was also given some very decent sleeping tablets (from the Benzodiazepine family).... But... I didn't want to be on this stuff all the time... Roll on Krathom and Marijuana Gummies... But, I didn't want to be on those all the time... So, I rotated... and doing so allowed me not to become dependent on any of them.... Thus: from a medical perspective - 100% agree... the stuff is great. But.. then there is the recreational aspect - I don't see anything wrong at all with people enjoying Marijuana socially. Just as I don't see anything wrong with people enjoying booze socially. I do see something wrong with people misbehaving when on any substance, that includes driving when high etc... Thailand is half way there... just do a better job of the legalisation... and while they are at it, remove the monopolistic powers the big beer manufacturers have... they'd already taken a step in the right direction in reducing the tax on wine (although better prices have yet to be seen in the shops). ---- Specifically dealing with the OP: I just don't see why he'd have an issue with Marijuana... or does he have an issue with the poor legislation around legalisation ??... Just fully legalise it, then there is no issue... let people make their own choices.

Not quite... depends where the 'passing motorcyclist' was positioned when he impacted the bag. If the passing motorcyclist was giving plenty of space to the stopped moto-taxi and the Ops (passengers) shopping bag swung out into the middle of the road as he was passing, then there is not a lot he could have done about it. Or, the bag dropped and items rolled into the middle of the road as he as passing.... However, if the passing motorcyclist was passing too close to the stopped moto-taxi and the bag just dropped to the floor and he hit that, i.e. within 1m of the stopped moto-taxi, then the passing motorcyclist was too close and its his own fault... IMO - it may not be as black & white as people are suggesting....

Yup... You may well be correct... The description is extremely poor, but reading it again a different day, the Op reads as if... ... Stepping off a stopped Moto-taxi with shopping, he dropped his bag into the road and a passing motorcyclist hit his bag. But.. how far out did he drop the bag ? did it swing into the middle of the road etc ??... Or, was the passing motorcyclist passing too closely, dangerously so for all parties ??

You know those "onuses and obligations" to be the case in Thailand, do you, or do you think that your interpretation of US laws apply here? So its down to the discretion of the Thai Police as to whether or not theft is a crime then ??.... If the thief says sorry and returns the money its not a crime ?.... do the the laws that are in place here not apply because 'Thailand different from country you' ???

I think at the time of the announcement it was floated that anything larger than 400cc was to be considered a big bike... Of course, a lot of ego's chipped in with the predicable comments that anything smaller than litre bike was underpowered and not a real bike etc... but for licensing purposes, as per the discussion at the time there has to be a cut off, and 400cc seems to be a decent cut off point. I have a 300cc scooter - definitely not a big bike !!!..

You mean you renewed your standard Motorcycle license ???...

The same thing that happend after numerous announcements, crack downs, policy changes etc... .... Nothing... Someone in a position of authority has had their opportunity to 'peacock'.... but policy change takes work and effort carry through into effect... so what happened ???... the general degree of apathy and laziness we see all over in those in positions of decision making authority.

With Reds... I like my wine and order plenty from dealerships in Thailand with a favourite being a Borolo and Montepulciano and Appasimento... BUT... with Thai food, I do not want to drink wine that may be as costly as this (>700 baht in Thailand).... With Spicy food I have something much cheaper, a fruit wine such as Mont Clare.... With Whites: I think a well priced Chilean Sauvignon Blanc works with spicy Thai food.... its relatively inexpensive.... I wouldn't want to waste a decent Riesling or Grenache etc on spicy food... But really, I find Thai food goes very well with beer... perhaps I've been conditioned...

Do you know something we don't ??.... You are placing 100% of the blame on the Op, yet he has not offered any clarity on the cause of 'him falling off' the bike. Also, the Op mentioned that someoene 'called an ambulance' but the impression I got was that an ambulance was not needed - hence the comment 'small accident'... Info from the Op still lacking that would clear up some uncertainties, if only for the discussion, as theoretically, he's already visited the Police Station this morning.

Do you usually give in and accept blame so easily when not at fault ??? Isn't that exactly what some people are hoping for ? - a soft target to cower and just pay up....

Did he ??... It depends what 'caused' him [the Op] to fall of... IF he was 'stepping off' the stopped moto-taxi, fell and dropped his bag in the road then I'd be inclined to agree, partially. But also point out that the motorcycle following behind was riding too closely. IF he 'fell off' and this as caused by the moto-taxi rider, then its not the Op's fault at all... What if the motorbike behind rode directly into the Op on laying on the road ???... rode into his body, over his arm, into his head ???... still the Ops fault then ??? Either way - the bike behind was too close - so any incident involving the following rider is the following riders fault. The only uncertainty is if the op falling off was through his own actions or the moto-taxi's.

Op asks for advice.. His post is thin on details resulting in us posters making assumptions... Seems the Op can't be bothered to offer any clarification or follow up. ------ A familiar type of post: People getting into a situation, asking for advice then disappearing.

Another question on this.... Could a parent comfortably watch the Eurovision Song Contest along with their children as family viewing ? This song alone highlights most definitely not IMO... Not just a step too far, but in targeting to a somewhat kitsch and 'acronym' friendly audience, this was a full on assault against decency. If it were a 'male & female - hetero image' the song was purveying in the same over sexualised crude manner it would be equally as crude, distasteful and offensive... the same could be argued of Madonna, Sam-Smith etc - but they don't target family audiences. The line between 'art and self indulgent gratification' was overstepped for what is supposed to be 'family friendly TV.... Catchy song, completely unnecessary performance. The British judges were well out of touch for even accepting this - shows how frightened the woke are of having an balanced opinion.

About 10 years ago Wife and I did the NZ Camper-van thing (awesome trip BTW)... I drove on my British Licence (No IDP that I recall). Wife, theoretically, could have driven with her Thai licence but forgot it, which was a bummer for me when driving around the vineyards in Marlborough (reckon she planned it). So, no, as far as I understand it, no IDP required to drive a Camper Van in NZ. That said, an IDP is so very easy to get, obtaining one removes any ambiguity or doubt. As far as 'endorsements' are concerned - a Camper-Van can be driven on a regular 'car' licence without any additional class endorsements (I think up to 6 tonnes)... so unless you are going 'massive' thats not an issue.

Hang on I am in the west I don't use Bolt or grab I do use Online Orders Just now I ordered a portable wheelchair and I order food online as well. Never ever I got scammed. Ah.. well, that makes a bit of a difference... Are you talking landline then or cell ? Landline - its difficult not to not answer (in the UK anyway)... and cold callers are a PITA... Cell - its a bit easier to deal with unknown numbers, but it could still be the bank, the hospital etc... Anyway - never answering any call you where you don't recognise the number means you wont get 'cold called' for sales or a 'receive a scam call... But, it definitely means you could miss a call that you would otherwise have wanted to answer. But, to say I never got scammed, is flawed reasoning, I do answer unknown numbers, and have also never been scammed... Each to there own, and your preference is your preference..... its just like the preference to use or not use digital payments, its not the choice I question (and debate) but the reasoning and justification.

You never order anything for delivery ?? - they usually call to ensure you are in before delivery. And what if its the Bank calling... (your Bank never calls, right ?) What if its your Bolt / Grab taxi wanting to confirm your address ? You may be retired, so its a bit easier... I can't ignore unknown calls because they could be recruiters.

Not how I read it. My version: Moto taxi stops top allow passenger to alight. While getting off passenger drops a bag into the road which unseats a passing motorcyclist who can't avoid it. A small accident is farting and following through. Causing a motorcyclist to crash by dropping something on the road in front of him is much more significant and the OP will (rightly) be owing some damages. Over to you Op... Providing more comprehensive details facilitates the provision of more precise and valuable advice.

Aberdeen Angus letting off co2 Indeed... In addition to the inadequacy of the expressed opinion, the socio-phonetic cues unmistakably reveal a squandered educational opportunity throughout the formative school years...

RIP to the poor lady of course..... But... on the article itself... here goes... In the tender embrace of Phuket's bypass road, amidst the gentle caress of the morning sun, destiny wove a tale of love and loss. A radiant soul, just 23 summers young, graced the pathway with her presence, her heart brimming with dreams yet to unfold. But fate, ever the capricious matchmaker, intervened in the most tragic of ways. As the first light of day painted the sky in hues of soft pastels, her path intersected with that of a pickup truck, setting in motion a fateful encounter neither could have foreseen. In that fleeting moment, amidst the whispers of dawn, love and tragedy intertwined, leaving behind a poignant tale etched in the annals of time.

As I read it... - Op on the back of a Moto-taxi... - Moto-Taxi crashes - Op and Moto-taxi rider fall off ? - Op drops bag on floor - Following rider hits bag and falls If all that is so, its 100% not the Ops fault... It's the Moto-Taxi riders fault (if that accident is indeed his fault)... It is also the fault of the following bike for their own 'accident' as they were following too closely to avoid the 'debris' from the accident. As I see it - the Op could have a claim from the Moto-taxi for the broken items in his bag. Op. you don't need a lawyer... just don't accept any fault, blame or attempt for compensation (which may happen). If you have a good Thai friend who is 'respectable' as them to join you. Be polite but firm... none of this was your fault or your responsibility. IF they try and go down the road of stating its your fault as the bag dropped was yours... you start down the road that you want compensation for damages of whats in the bag.... Also go down the road of 'what if the following motorcyclist' hit you after you were on the floor ?... Should the following motorcyclist be charged with dangerous riding ???? Don't accept any blame, no matter how hard they push. They may even threaten you with court (has happened before), just be confident and state you are fine with that... you know you are 100% not at fault as a passenger... I'm not even sure why they are bothering to call you into the station...

I recently got a 'ban warning' for suggesting much of the news was written by AI.... ... figured my comment flew below the radar but said just that....

Will the Police press charges of theft anyway... or is this just a crime with no penalty if caught, if they say sorry and return the stolen money ? Next 'Taxi Headline'.... 'Taxi driver returns 1 Million Baht a tourist left in a taxi'...

Has Bob Smith started driving taxi's ????

If you have an accident your insurance could be invalid if you don't have an IDP. Thailand requires one too but most people don't bother. Not worth the risk really as they are easily obtained. I agree that they (IDP's) are easily obtained... IF one is going back home to their own country regularly... Which theoretically, if a person is a tourist, they are.... Otherwise, anyone here for longer should have a Thai DL. I only know one long termer who can't be bothered to get a Thai DL... his UK DL has always worked well enough if the BiB stop him, I don't think he's had an accident here so I'm not sure what the insurance would do. I recall having my first accident here... (about 2002 time).... the BiB were happy with my 'Paper UK' driving licence.... (no one asked for an IDP)... it was shortly after that I got a Thai DL.

Suicide or trying to cross the road ????.... Impossible to tell.. .... quite the impressive use of adverbs, adjectives and nouns in this article, though !!!...