richard_smith237

This happened to a work colleague about 20 years ago... he went out, never returned home for a three days. He remembers very little of it, he required urgent medical attention. A lot of money was missing from his account. He was an otherwise very responsible professional, although he'd been drugged at a rather dodgy bar. This is the only first hand example I know of this happening. That said, A few years back at a dodgy pop-up street bar in Sukhumvit, well after hours, I was drunk and wasn't really paying attention to my beer while talking with my friend... I took another 'swig' of my beer and it was acrid & bitter.... enough to immediately make me spit out my mouth-full on the floor... I just paid my bill (one beer) and told my friend, thats it, we have to go now... We left and I then told him what had happened, that I'd tasted something very strange and suspected there may be something that had been added to the beer. I went home and never felt anything... but still wonder if that something nefarious was being planned by the girls at the 'pop-up' bar. Always watch your beer.... this of course is unrelated to the Op, but in response to the above comments. While very rare, I don't believe this attempts are the urban-myth some make them out to be, although many may feel terrible the next day and suspect such 'spiking' of their drinks, but its usually because of the cheap bootleg liquor they have been drinking.

That would cause significant concern to my family and that of anyone I know. That would also cause significant concern. ... its also likely they may not have wanted to respond with specifics - hence the information being vague that he has been found and is receiving consular assistance.

Different folks, different stokes... I've been in Thailand over 25 years... since the onset of mobile phones, particularly chat apps, the manner in which we communicate and the expectation of response has altered. I'm sure if any of my family in the UK sent me a message to which I didn't respond to within a couple of days they may start to worry and probably send my Wife a message to check all is ok (we're all in a 'group chat' anyway' so that doesn't happen). The same in reverse, if my message any of my siblings or parents and don't get a response, concern starts to grow - particularly if I don't get a response from my parents. The real humdinger is when I get a message "give me a call"... and then I really worry something has gone wrong... its usually because one of them just want a chat... But, I have also had a couple of calls in the past that have seen be back in the UK within 24 hrs because something serious has happened. As I mentioned above - communication is different for everyone and much of this depends upon how closely nit you are as a family, but I'd never be furious at my family caring so much that they worry.

Do you turn in to a violent pi$$head after drinking wine ? (or any drink)...

Say "mama-mia" a lot ?

Good info - I've argued this before (on this forum) that an IDP is not required to accompany a licence that is in English from a country with a Bilateral agreement with Thailand, additionally, obtaining a Thai Driving Licence with a National Licence from any of these countries with a Bilateral agreement the process is somewhat simpler (i.e. just some classroom tests & a video etc - as most of us do). But, your link above refers to the Bilateral agreement - which is good information. But, it does not quite highlight the issue of driving under a foreign license when in Thailand on a 'resident visa' (for a maximum period of 90 days honeymoon period in which a Thai License should be secured)... I read such information in an offical document a few years back and have since been unable to 'relocate' that information.

The reduction in import is already in place (as of April I believe). I suspect a number of factors in the reasons this is not being reflected in the pricing. - Shops selling off existing stock (purchased under higher taxation). - Shops profiting - there is no reason to lower their price until competition comes in. As new Wine Shops enter the market and attempt to undercut with lower profit margins than the existing sellers, only then will we see the prices start to improve. That said: WinePro in Bangkok offered a couple of wines on their list at lower prices to reflect the lower tax. Though, they were 'new offerings' so there was no comparison point with older stock.

In Bangkok 7-11's at least, if you enjoy IPA type beer there is FullMoon beer... (from Fullmoon Brew works in Phuket). Both of the common ones are decent... at 88 baht for a large 500ml can. - Summerlay FinFin IPA (6.0% ABV) - SayPlay (4.0 ABV) I'm not sure if other 7-11's outside of Bangkok stock them, I only know the 7-11 near me (in Bangkok) does.

Why ? you can't fall off that car....... From a safety perspective... there is no comparison - car 100% of the time. But... from a convenience perspective, a car can be quite a PITA, especially if in a town such as Pattaya where parking is awkward. Parking is a lot easier in Bangkok, but then there is the traffic to deal with.

Well... close enough...

It not strange at all... he wants to 'pop down the road' and use a fax.... this used to be something readily available but with technology is now less common place... So.. he's asking for local information... something convenient in town... Its not a difficult question to understand. In lieu of a 'real fax' there are alternatives which people have provided - but the Op has still shown a preference for a 'real fax'... use it and pay someone 100 baht or whatever it is... simple if its available.

Then of course there is defensive riding..... If on a motorbike, do your best not to be the first person stopping at traffic lights... If you have to do so, do so at the side of the road so you don't leave yourself vulnerable to traffic not paying attention (and potentially running the light and 'through' you') etc... Lots of stuff to watch out for... but IMO.. this one is a biggie...

Theoretically - on average there could be something in the region of 60 separate threads per day on road deaths...

Wrong way to look at it. You need to find statistics per registered vehicle, or even better- per mile driven. Good luck finding such info for Thailand. There are some countries that have almost zero deaths per capita. But they also have very few registered vehicles, because normal people can't afford a car. Their deaths per registered vehicle is scary. Yep... those are pretty much impossible to get hold of, thus, to establish a truly realistic statistic we'd need far more data input. Looking at Population vs road deaths per vehicle type... the USA has a higher road fatality rate (for 4 wheeled vehicles) than Thailand per 100,000 population. Conversely, the UK is 4x less.

That'll do the trick.. no real need for anything fast than that at all.... My next 'run around' scooter will be an EV it seems...

What would digital signatures and PDF have to do with facsimile and source verification. Ai-yaaa.... If I have to explain it to you then I'm not sure you'd get it. Modern 'entities / establishments' accept a 'digital signature' as 'source verification, for example, a digitally Signature on a PDF (that has embedded code). Alliteratively, modern 'entities / establishments' allow for form filling online and you to 'digitally sign' with a 'mouse signature' and others 'simply by typing your name in the box'... where the signature is. Those 'entities / establishments' that have not updated their regulatory requirements may often require either a 'letter with a hand written signature' OR... a 'Fax'... as they do not accept scanned documents.

Looks decent... How big is it ?... ie.. would a 6 footer look like a bear on a circus tricycle ? No storage, which is why I ended up going from a 'normal motorcycle' to a scooter in the first place (convenience)... but that could be overlooked - this thing looks fun !!! What is the top end speed ??

Its usually a antiquated regulatory requirement as 'digital signatures' on a PDF are not recognised in that jurisdiction....

80%... and according to WHO estimates... thats about 20,000 Motorcycle deaths per year. There are 22 Million registered motorcycles in Thailand. Thats risk of 0.2 per 100,000 motorcyclists dying. The simplistic outlook of that stat is of course somewhat flawed, however, it presents an idea of the risk for all motorcyclists, then when removing other factors (such as riding while drunk etc - in my list above) the risk is less. Of course, the greater risk is injury from an accident and its far more difficult to look at the stats. I'm just recovering from a serious sporting injury / accident - It has made me think more about when and where I use my motorcycle when I also have a car, or taxi's to use.

You mentioned 'drive'... Statistically, 'Driving' (4 wheeled vehicles)... driving in Thailand is safer than driving in the USA. Punch the stats... remove 80% of motorcycle fatalities leaving... and the death rate per 100,000 of population is lower in Thailand than the USA... Riding a bike - different matter, but as above, those of us who ride more carefully can remove ourselves from the aggregate statistic, which are mainly contributed to by those riding carelessly.

Yawn... the usual boring response... Of course, you'd be correct in suggesting the risk is elevated compared to a car... so is the risk of riding a motorcycle in the UK compared to a car... and so is the risk of riding a motorcycle here compared to riding a motorcycle in the UK. But, what is rarely considered when making such sweeping generalisations above is the risk profile as it applies to us on an individual level. 80% of road fatalities are motorcyclists - thats a horrific stat. Now.. remove the following... - Those riding while drunk - Those speeding - Those jumping red lights - Those 'under-taking' - Those cutting blind corners - Those turning into junctions cutting off the corner - Those riding without helmets - Those riding at night - Those riding in the rain - Those not riding defensively (which covers much of the above) .... we see the risk profile as it applies to us individually reduce to levels some of us find acceptable when compared to the convenience of having a motorcycle.... Its not a death wish, its a balanced choice, where many of us cut the majority of risk by not riding like a complete d-head. Thats not to say a lorry won't mow us down... but that has also happened to people walking down the road.

Indeed... just a circle jerk of like minded bitter mongers who've convinced themselves (and perhaps each other) that they are the norm... I can't think of anything worse than associating with these over opinionated mongy pests.... Its hardly surprising women don't either, so the pests have to pay for the experience and justify this by generalising their behavior and opinions...

Homepro... https://www.homepro.co.th/p/269966?lang=en

I've had exactly the same issue in the past with bank (HSBC Singapore).. even worse, I was in a remote location with 100% zero chance of finding a fax. The solution was to download an App on my iPad and 'spoof' send a fax from that App... (I think the App was called iFax)

Its not unreasonable to expect that a manhole cover or drain doesn't collapse, even in a 3rd world or developing nation. 'Extra money' will not increase the accountability of those in positions of responsibility for such 'issues'... effective enforcement of those flouting safety regulations will. It has been said plenty of times before, when those in positions of accountability are not held accountable for their apathy and resulting consequences, this is the result. This is not a 'fees' issue - increase fees will just raise the salaries... In much the same manner, increasing taxi rates will not prevent taxi's from refusing rides and refusing to use the meter etc... (poor example I know - but the point is there) - only a cultural shift forcing accountability will ensure effective improvement. Why only foreign income.... The tax deficit of those extremely wealthy Thai's who avoid tax is huge... In fact a huge portion of Thai's avoid tax.. You have fallen foul of picking up on the recent buzz subject of tax on foreign income - This is simply the authorities picking the low hanging fruit as they can easily 'deflect' the burden or responsibility onto the banks who can observe income from overseas. Its a lot harder to check those within country who are avoiding paying tax.... I know a handful of extremely Wealthy people who hand-carry cash, regularly to their Bank in Hong-kong (we're talking millions of Baht). I know someone who 'hand carried' a large bag of cash to HK on behalf of an very well known public figure (politician). ------ Increasing fees / taxes will not prevent petty theft... petty theft will always be there. Petty theft exists in the UK too, think of 'churches' having their copper lightening conductors stolen / ripped out. Construction sites and factories having their wire removed. Old buildings having the lead flashing thieved. Taxes are high enough in the UK and this petty theft is not prevented. Perhaps this is issue of petty theft of manhole covers is not exclusive to Thailand, but the stupidity of covering it with plywood is... instead of getting the area barriered off - those responsible take measures to ensure they are not held accountable, that is the missing 'factor' here in Thailand.