richard_smith237

Oh dear... mistakes happen and all that... But this really isn't a good look.

555…..I’ll worry about that after I’ve stopped the mutt from ripping my face off….555 Indeed... there have been stories in the media before along with the 'netizen outrage' after a foreigner hit a dog with a stick... I'd personally rather be on the receiving end of netizen outrage than the teeth of a frenzied dog.... If I were out walking regularly in an an area with dogs... carrying an expandable baton and pepper spray seems like common sense. Are cattle prods legal to carry around Thailand - perhaps this is the idea solution.

Huh >> Thai dogs are racist now ???

Agree 100%..... IF authorities were serious about resolving the high road fatality rates, they'd be able to do so very quickly by dealing with the helmet issue. Authorities were unwavering in their efficiency to get everyone to wear masks... they could do the same with helmets - I'm inclined to believe they just don't care at all.

Of course we 'jump to conclusions'... most of us do, thats the whole concept of a discussion forum, discuss issues without the limitations of being in a court room.... You have jumped to conclusions too... (thats fine too, until you become a hypocrite and object to others for drawing their own conclusions and discussing such). - You have made your own conclusion that the actions of this man have nothing to with any previous exposure this man may have had the BiB in Thailand (or that seems to be your implication) - You have also made your own conclusion that this incident is completely separate from any reputation the BiB have (or that seems to be your implication) Perhaps you'd be better of reading the news where there is no option for further discussion, because you clearly lack the critical thought to offer intelligent contribution.

Usually socio-phonetics are somewhat of giveaway as to the level of somones intellect... In this case you've left absolutely no room for doubt...

Never had a bad experience either in thailand for more than 20 years. I heard stories, but non of those I met who had a bad experience was innocent. I got a dusin tickets for driving, but non of them was because police was corrupt. I think a lot of this issue depends more specifically on where you are. I have friends who live in Patong, and they say they are stopped all the time at check points, it becomes an irritant - as they are fully legal, they are let go easily enough, but its still a waste of 5 mins which wears thin, especially when they see helmet-less Thai's ignored and waved through. Thats anecdotal I know... but never theless, there are a lot of similar stories which lends to the suspicion of the true intentions of those running the check points... Or as if we didn't know already, they're money spinners. Of course, as you mentioned, there is no corruption as the Police are only fining those who are breaking laws... But, its the selective manner which this is carried out in some districts which lends to the suspicion of the real intentions. I therefor get the impression that Westerners on Motorcycles are more of a target than Thai's on Motorcycles in the main area's of tourist footfall in Patong, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai... Conversely, in Bangkok, I think the BiB are actively disinterested in foreigners riding motorcycles or driving as we generally have our licenses and wear helmets etc.... then the night time check points for DUI (in Bangkok, when they have them), I see anyone is a target, not just foreigners..... So, the level my personal cynicism towards the manner in which the police enforce laws varies from area to area.

Then there are other OTC meds that are taken daily... You may not need to carry them around with you all day... But.. what if you go to another area, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Phuket etc.... You'll need to carry them with you then... Thus: you already have two reasons as to why you may be carrying meds on you (not just coming home from a pharmacy or hospital).

You only ever leave your house for less than 3 hours at a time ? Tramadol is pain killer... whats the point of having it if you can't have it with you to take when you need it ? Thus: when outside of the home all day, that prescribed pain killer is carried with me (at least in the recovery stages).

Theoretically - when out and about for a walk and a dog is approaching and getting aggressive, thats the time to be prepared with your 'weapon of any kind'... in much the same way sometimes picking up a stone also works.

In other threads people have mentioned they carry 'extendable batons' which may (or may not) be effective... I wonder if thats easier to use than a knife when defending yourself against aggressive dogs.

For the same reason I am cynical about anyone else who commits wrong doing here then tries to back pedal out of it. An animal she is in charge of attacks.... She then tells us that she'd found a new home for the animal and it was supposed to be picked up on the very same day it attacked someone... incredible coincidence. Nope, I don't believe that for a second.. People tell lies.... IMO - only now that there has been an incident she was able to get her ducks in a row with someone else who said they'll be prepared to take the dog... she then exaggerated the rest of the story to try and look like she was taking more responsiblity. IMO the woman is lying and back-pedalling. I've no proof of course, but I am as cynical of the excuses given in these situations are you seem to be naive in blindly believing anything thats written down. He didn't know the exact lies he was supposed to be telling, so opted to remain silent instead.

Wow. That's at least 250,000 hits of LSD Or its just the usual standard of accuracy of reporting here....

I know we have all been conditioned that drugs are bad.. .war on drugs etc... Are those not recreational drugs ??... i.e. drugs people use to have a good time, much like drinking alcohol ? This is not Heroin or crack-cocaine... and this guy is hardly a major drug dealer pedalling heroin to children. I'm not defending this guy at all, he's broken the laws and he knew the law. What I am questioning is the attitude towards recreational drugs in the first place (not just Thailand, but world wide)... In another world with more objective attitudes this guy is no more guilty than someone serving a beer... I know, we are not in that world, but my point is, what authorities have labelled as 'terrible'... is it really that terrible ??? (Coke, LSD, Magic Mushrooms, Ecstasy)... any worse that going on a drinking binge ?

They don't afford them... And thats why they continue to ride without helmets (and also without a licence in a lot of cases)... The BiB are sympathetic... if they do stop a Thai person without a licence or helmet, they let them go for 100 baht and tell them to 'be good and get their licence'... that should be incentive enough - but it appears its not. If the fines were consistent applied all the time - the 'no helmet wearing' issue would be resolved very quickly (both Thai and toursits)... If the BiB were known to be more honest but strict, tourists would think twice about riding without a licence. I suspect the BiB mostly want people to ride without helmets and a license - its an easy money maker for them when they can be bothered to set up a check-point... ... with so many people around not wearing helmets, I'm just surprised more aren't caught every day.

They don't afford them... And thats why they continue to ride without helmets (and also without a licence in a lot of cases)... The BiB are sympathetic... if they do stop a Thai person without a licence or helmet, they let them go for 100 baht and tell them to 'be good and get their licence'... that should be incentive enough - but it appears its not. If the fines were consistent applied all the time - the 'no helmet wearing' issue would be resolved very quickly (both Thai and toursits)... If the BiB were known to be more honest but strict, tourists would think twice about riding without a licence. I suspect the BiB mostly want people to ride without helmets and a license - its an easy money maker for them when they can be bothered to set up a check-point... ... with so many people around not wearing helmets, I'm just surprised more aren't caught every day.

You believe that BS excuse ????... Brake failure !!! "Oh, I was rehoming the animal today, but it attacked someone before that could happen"... Regardless of the tragic circumstances of her sons death and the reason the dog was in her possession, it was still in her possession and she failed to ensure the animal in her possession was secure - that is still her responsibility and she is accountable for that. Its an unsympathetic and tough opinion: but my sympathies lie with an innocent victim of an attack by a dangerous animal that was not secured, that the owner, whatever the excuse or circumstances of ownership.

Do you mean we should only discuss this individual incident in isolation ??? thats flawed and narrow minding thinking. Do you mean that factors which may be contributory to the Singaporean's reaction are not relevant because YOU think it doesn't matter what others are doing or have done in the past ??? ..... the reason the Singaporean acted this way quite likely has a lot to do with reasons you seem to prefer to ignore...

Perhaps you are correct... When I was there for SandBox (two weeks riding around), I was not stopped, but there were no check-points out. When I was in Patong 6 months ago (I wasn't riding, but I didn't notice any police stops at all). And you are also correct, I do get a lot of my info on this from social media, and sites such as this, which perhaps also creates bias on my part. So, maybe this thread is just feeding my confirmation bias, but I seem to see more reports of foreigners getting stopped and fined at checkpoints in area's such as Patong, than I do in Bangkok for example.... Perhaps thats because there are more tourist riding illegally in Patong whereas in Bkk most foreigners are long termers and get a license and the police see this pattern already. From personal experience of Phuket - there is nearly always a couple of Police Stops pulling over tourists in Patong. Thus: Stevenl - where are you riding your bike around Phuket ? Laguna / Bang Tao and north from there - BiB seem not interested... Rawai / Phuket town etc - BiB seem not interested... Kata / Karen / Patong / Kamala - this is where I've noticed more police checkpoints over the years (of visiting Phuket a lot)... I always suspected these area's have more check points because there is more money to be made from tourists.

But she (the driver of the other car) still got away with attempting the 'hit and run'... she should have also been charged with attempting to flee the scene of the accident.... I saw one bike swerve lanes and and knock another rider off... the first bike then fled the scene without seeing if the other motorcyclist was ok. We stopped to help and when the BiB arrived I gave him the Dash-cam footage which showed everything (including the offending hit & runners licence plate etc)... I hope the BiB located and charged that ayhole. Hit n run in Thailand is almost a social norm - its really high time this crime is punished correctly here.

Once cars get older than about 7 years, its difficult to get 1st Class insurance on them. That said, its not impossible, shop around, but we aware of the restrictions (i.e. some insurance companies offering 1st class insurance on older cars may only honour repairs at specific garages etc). The best option is to go through a broker - they'll likely come back with some options. The other point is: The value of a 2002-2008 C-Class Merc is about 150,000 to 300,000 baht. Is 1st class insurance something you need on it ???

Here we go again... "Ripper, My Pittie is great with kids and would lick em to death".... And I hope they did 'take care of him'.... and the owner, whatever their BS excuses needs to be facing heavy fines.

OK.. so 100% agree that the Singaporean is in the wrong for riding without a licence and without a helmet and should pay the approriate fines. He should also be fined for attacking a police officer. BUT... why did he react this way ? Did he see numerous Thai's riding without a helmet and get annoyed because he was 'singled out' ?? Did he see the duplicity with which the Police in Phuket target and fine foreigners compared to Thai's ?? Its long been established that in area's such as Phuket the Police know foreigners are stupid enough to make themselves easy pickings (low hanging fruit) for the BiB and foreigners can always pay their on the spot fines ? Sure... Don't do anything illegal then, and I'd quite agree... BUT... surely if the BiB are doing their job effectively, all the Thai's have bene fined so many times for not wearing a helmet that they'd all be wearing a helmet by now... right ?? I can see the Singaporean getting insulted at the unequal treatment he perceives as being unfair - he's still in the wrong though. If think if I lived in Phuket I'd get annoyed at the amount of Police checkpoints wasting my time with so many checks because they're looking to profit from foreigners.

Its ok... someone else already dropped the most overused and predicable comment of any thread discussing watches...

Ah ha... So you think IF you got a Rolex is to impress others so you project that this is why others may have such a watch... You highlight your ignorance. Have you not considered them cheap watches ?.... Cheapest watch I ever owned was a Rolex... I sold it and make about $3000 profit. I have a G-Shock which cost me $3300 more than the Rolex !!! I'm hoping to get a couple more Rolex's (on wait lists) and will keep them for a while as an investment. I'm surprised you didn't drop the golden nugget... "Who needs a watch, you can just use your phone to tell the time" !!!