richard_smith237

What if a Thai does upset you first..... ... are you not capable of walking away and not allowing a situation to escalate ?? Do you have the right to defend yourself ?... Of course do you ?... So if a Thai is a attacking you for no reason, sure defend yourself ? But... why is a Thai attacking you for no reason ? usually, there is a transgression....

I agree with an aspect of your sentiment, but given your posting history I disagree with bias with which you present your argument. In this case (of the Swiss man who kicked the Dr getting his visa revolked) the issues is not as black and white as you argue Bob Smith. The Swiss mans visa is not being revoked because he kicked a woman. The Swiss mans visa is being revoked because of his illegal business dealings - he drew attention to himself and his illegal activity. What is concerning though is the amount of attention, protests and media frenzy all this story generated... the comparison is when the same think happens and a Thai Kicks someone, or even shoots someone because the must was too loud etc the attention generated is tiny in comparison. ... Recently we've had stories of women sunbathing on the grass in a temple grounds in Chiang Mai (wearing shorts and a tank top) and there was outrage, we've had women sunbathing on the grass in Sanam Luang in Bangkok, and there was outrage. We've had numerous stories whereby IF it were a Thai involve it would have been a 'non-event' or a non-story.... BUT, because a foreigner is involved the story is bigger, the outrage is greater and more wide spread.... The media is feeding on these issues and is potentially perpetuating a degree of 'Thai's good / Foreigners bad' xenophobia... Of course, what the foreigners have done is inexcusable.... But, I also consider a degree of unequal attention and unequal penalty also inexcusable. That said: Neither any foreigner, or Thai is going to miss such people - so good riddance to them. Personally - I see the 'revoking the visa' and kicking them out of Thailand response the lazy option - go through the legal process and give them the same penalty a Thai would receive in the same circumstances, and then, if their business is also illegal, then deal with them with appropriate penalties for that too. A year or two ago we saw an Indian Guy get fined 200,000 baht for 'sexually assaulting' / grabbing a Thai woman's bottom while walking down Walking Street in Pattaya... Fair enough, a fine for sexual assault... OK... thats the precedent - So why is no Thai ever fined for doing the same thing to a foreigner ?? SO... the single facet of your point Bob, the 'unequal treatment' is one I agree with, but not something that concerns me until I have a car accident and they want to 'deport me' because the person I crashed into is a Doctor who garners sympathy of the media and there is then mass outrage at the foreigner who crashed, but I still can't say that concerns me much...

Given the ridiculousness of some of your other threads I wonder if you are living in the same place. How someone can see things so very very differently.... Thailand most certinly does not take care of its disabled well... . It could be argued the disabled of Thailand are treated with complete ignorance. We see the types of disabled people when out and about: 1 - The Wealthy disabled - with helpers assistants etc 2 - The Independent foreign disabled - strong enough to get around on their own 3 - The disabled beggars The law states motorcyclists must wear a helmet too - I think that covers how useless laws are and how empty quoting a law is in this case. WRONG - you have no idea who wants to visit which places and can't project on behalf of the disabled.... If someone has no wheelchair access, its impossible to tell if disabled want to go there or not. I agree with self-esteem and independence.... but Thailand does not offer that for the disabled... If you are unable to see that, your observational skills fall more into 'wishful thinking' than anything you have factually observed. Erm... Agreed, but not with the example you provide which is not an example at all... You seem to justify that places are not wheelchair accessible because Thai's determine no one in a wheel-chair would want to go to such an area, and thus the Thai's are smart for making such a decision.... Thats not smart at all... that just completely naive of you to have such an idea. Try and get around with a push-chair, on crutches, or in a wheel chair and you'll see how far off the mark you really are.

Thats a valid point... While impulse uses the 'New York' example where drivers can pay up to US$1 Million for their 'shield' to the city. Does such a similar 'thing' exist in Thailand ??? where drivers have to pay an inflated amount for their licence to operate and this also ensures the fare paying public are insured ? (I've had a couple of incidents with taxi drivers - they weren't insured which makes me suspect they also weren't licensed, thus making the licensing argument somewhat moot). I know the vest used to cost money for 'win riders'... but I'm not sure about the Shield style system, which I think some US posters projected as an example of what occurs in Bangkok.... As I understand it - a Corporation (company) will register a load of taxi's... and a taxi driver who is a licensed taxi driver will rent the car from the company for xxx baht per day. I'm not sure what 'under the table' payments are required to register the taxi, but I'm sure there are plenty.

Which is precisely why this news report is a waste of space. As usual, lots of talk but no action. Indeed... And the App itself described by 'thesetac' was unusable. For any report to be accepted, it needed a photo of the 'offending taxi'.... But, the app wouldn't accept uploaded photos, and thus complaints were not possible on the very platform designed for taking complaints !!!! Thailand is not really country where complaints are handled well at all. Even in the 'better' companies, the complaints handling is extremely poor as if a 'western team' have been brought in, but ultimately the underlying culture of 'complainants are just trouble makers' takes over....

100% agree... ... Yet we read all the time of crack-downs....

None of the above... But someone in the company, possibly the owner or someone high up decided thats what they wanted without any greater through... so thats it... with Kraeng-Jai, everyone just follows without question.... and there the customer is potentially impacted because of nothing more than a 'whim'.... ... its a good idea to boycott such companies as the Op mentioned.

You should be able to provide your passport within ai reasonable time frame (if asked by the Police) - thus, when travelling to another province, its wise to have your documents with you - that is an individual choice though. What you have described [that a bus company would not let you travel without a passport] its not a legal requirement for travel within Thailand, and thus, the bus company are wrong in their requirements. Did they refund you your ticket ??.... I don't think this is about them trying to prevent foriegners from using their service, thats just a bitterness on your part making that assumption. But, someone stupid is making decisions which impacts foreign tourists and thats annoying, particularly when the decision makes no sense.

That depends on your country of original driving license. i.e. You can't obtain an IDP remotely from the UK, you have to get your IDP in person from the Post Office (any online option for an IDP is fake). Someone can apply in the UK for you (but will need all your documents) a photo, UK DL and Passport. In Thailand, getting an IDP with a 5 Year Thai DL is easy enough.

You stupid idiot this story is about TRANG in a supermarket. Fair enough - stupid idiot I am (wrong story of western man attacking Thai woman)... there's too many overlapping stories of Older Western ayholes attacking people recently. 1) Swiss man attacking Woman sat on his steps, becasue she's sat on his (rented) steps. 2) Brit throws class at woman in pet friendly cafe because her dog was yapping. 3) Swiss man attacking Woman because she bumped into him.

She uses a walking frame to walk along the beach with ???..

Whataboutism is used when you have nothing. Are you condoning the attack on this woman? 'whataboutsim'.... I think you are missing the point of the comments.... No one is condoning the attack, everyone is condemning the behaviour of the swiss attacker. BUT.... what is being brought into question is the the measure of equality in the charges and penalties... It seems to be the more 'experienced forum members who've clearly been here a long time and are cynical of dual-penalties.... ....and perhaps rightly so... If this were a Thai guy who attacked the woman, what type of charges and penalty would expect to see ?? Do any of us expect the Swiss Man's charges and penalty to be the same ???? I hope they throw the book at him.... and my cynicism suggests they will, but if it were a Thai guy the outrage would be less, the media coverage a lot less.... and quite likely the penalty rather paltry.....

I'm grateful for your comment. I refer you to EASA recommendation dated 27 Mar 2015, I also refer you to FAR 91.105, Great... Now of that 86 page EASA 'recommendations' (not regulations)... Please highlight where it states it is forbidden (or not recommended) for a Pilot of a CoPilot to leave the fight-deck....

He's a TikToker.... All of this is a cry publicity to drum up views on this channel....

Erm... I disagree.... I know numerous Thai's from various rungs of this 'hierarchical social ladder' you mention (also known as 'socio-economic-edcuational status) and it is easily navigated by foreigners here in Thailand when they themselves know how to behave... I think its easy to 'fit well within' the rungs of this hierarchical social ladder you mention... But it also depends a lot on the person you are.... If you are factory worker, retired at 50 and moved to Thailand and have shacked up with Noy from the local 'restaurant'... then no... the rungs of that ladders are unlikely to be manageable.... But, if someone is of reasonable socio-economic-edcuational status themselves and have married a partner of similar socio-economic-edcuational status then that 'hierarchical social ladder' is easily climbed, navigated etc... That may be an unpopular opinion for some - But Thai's are astute, and well educated Thai's can easily tell when someone is from within their 'status' even foriegners... They pick up on the same social traits, the same socio-phonetics and general behavior and that is strengthened if the partner (wife) clearly shows the same 'characteristics'... Like it or not - thats just life. The Dr. Was wrong to sit on the steps ?.... I think thats a grey area... they were steps, sitting there was hardly doing anyone any harm... its not as if she walked up to the house and sat on the veranda. It could have been someone sat on a supercar - it doesn't warrant a 'beating' or getting kicked. There is no excuse for the Swissmans behavior (I think everyone agree's with that). I think the reason for his Visa being revoked is also do to with his nefarious business dealings. I don't think the attack alone, is sufficient for him to have his permission of stay removed. But, there has been a lot of digging into his business practices and there has been some 'rather dodgy' dealings going on... I think his visa is being revoked because of his illegal business practices rather than the attack on the Dr who was sat on the steps at the beach-front.

Even if she 'did have it coming'.... i.e. instigated a confrontation by bumping into him and then being rude and escalating, throwing a water bottle at him (the Swiss man) etc... That does not warrant the extent of aggressiveness shown in the response - i.e. smashing her head against the floor - thats aggravated assault. I hope the swiss man faces serious charges for his behaviour - or at least the same degree of (serious?) charges a Thai would face in exactly the same situation.

Which hospitals, restaurants and national parks do not provide service to foreigners which would be a "similar policy" to that of the OP? I think he's referring to the duplicitous treatment of foreigners with state sanctioned dual pricing. I can see the point.... IF Authorities can sanction discrimination in the form of dual pricing.... and if Businesses across Thailand get away with this practice without warnings from Authorities.... Then there is no reason why a practice can't operate in the same manner but turning the tables and operating in a discriminatory manner against Thai's..... I get that sentiment... and for me it would mean any Thai complaining of unfair treatment does not have a justifiable complaint. That said: I object to and prejudicial treatment of anyone, no matter where, what, for whom or by whom. I deplore dual charging in all examples and in this case, I find the mistreatment of a Thai customer also deplorable, regardless of what happens elsewhere.

Well... It is discrimination.... and just like dual charging is disagreeable and discrimination against foreigners, this is an example of discrimination against Thai's... The practice of any discrimination, whether its against foreigners or Thai's is wrong - and just because Thai's practice discrimination against foreigners in many business practices here in Thailand (even hospitals etc)... that does not make the reverse any less wrong or justifiable. IF the Thai couple meet all the requirements. - Provide ID - Provide the required Deposit - Show a Motorcycle license Then there is no reason for the shop not to rent to them. If there is any damage to the bike, that comes out of the deposit, if there is further damage (or nefarious goings on) the shop can involve the police. Also, surely the shop has insurance for renting out their bikes, which includes theft... no ?

Agreed... Are you refering to this; on Feb 26 - or was there another incidient of a 73 year old being hit on Thailands roads ?? Swiss cyclist killed in hit and Run.... I completely agree... Death by Dangerous Driving - the charges should most definitely be severe. But also, this Swiss attacker needs to be charged with Aggravated Assault.... Not defending the swiss-man in the slightest... But I have a leg injury and am in and out of the hospital a lot, when there I'm put into a wheel chair for ease of getting around from room to room etc... On every visit so far I've had to shout 'STOP'... at someone who's waling while watching their phone and about walk into me (which would hurt me a lot)... So, I have some sympathy at those who get annoyed with people repeatedly bumping into them through no other reason than carelessness.... (and my Wife is just as bad... unaware of surroundings, she'll be deep in conversation with someone stood right in everyones way... then point to something in the middle of a conversation and nearly poke a passerby's eye).... So... For sure 100% against the Swiss guy for this deplorable attack... But also point out that a lot of people could be more careful and have greater regard for their surroundings.

Indeed, this is where a certain anti-foreign sentiment comes into the reporting…. Undertones of a growing xenophobia fanned by the media.

Agreed, usually I’d argue that Thais are smart enough to treat us based on our own individual merits when interacting in person. However, on a National scale this behavior feeds the flames of nationalistic sentiment, which can be fanned with further stupid behavior by foreigners & the predictable nationalistic over reaction & netizen outrage.

Agreed…. But it’s either because of these actions, or the increased reporting of these actions that seems have planted the seeds which now feed a what appears to be a developing anti-faring media-bias…. Perhaps deservedly so, but it certainly feels as though the media is running with this bias & publicising any wring step a foreigner makes, when Thai’s committing worse crimes are ignored. One flag stolen = netizen outrage. 15 people killed though DUI = nothing.

In our cars we all (most of us) have dash-cams... primarily to protect us from false clams if we are involved in an incident here. But, when motorcycling - the options seem limited to a 'Go Pro' on the helmet, which has limitations, forgetting to turn it on, battery life etc... So... best mod for the bike - Innov Dash-Cam (FWD and Rear Facing for Motorcycles)... Of all mods on bikes... Bigger footpegs (easier to stand) handle bar risers, carry packs, tanklock bags etc, Quad Phone Mounts, handlebar bags, sump-guard, adjustable clutch / brake levers etc etc... the primary mod I always do first before anything else and the one I think most important.... ... Install the FWD and Rear Facing Innov K2 dash-cam system.... https://innovv.com/k6-motorcycle-dashcam/

Obviously most of us are here because we like it here. BUT... there seems to be this disconnect on forums such as this whereby for some, any observation if it isn't purely positive is a Thai Bash and must mean we don't like it here... "go back to where you came from if you don't like.... ... .... " The reality is that many of us enjoy a great many aspects of Thailand but also recognise that it is far from perfect, in fact main of Thailands imperfections are downright negatives... but for the most part those negatives are outweighed by the positives. One of the most notable things for me is the roads.... whenever I'm in different countries a different driving culture is noticeable... In Thailand, its within 20mins of leaving the Airport that I very soon witness degrees of outright f*ckwittery on the roads unsurpassed since my earlier travel out to the airport. I slam Thailand for a number of issues. - Societies attitudes to Road, Electrical and Water Safety - Official attitudes towards education - Systemic and endemic corruption - Defamation laws - In ability to handle loss of face - Kraeng Jai (which I find to be a huge hinderance to forward thinking) .... And.... as many topics overlap and cover many of the above issues I found outstandingly poor, when discussion such, it has been argued that I am a 'Thai Basher'... I have no issues with that, when accused of being a Thai basher on any of the above subjects I agree and I'd double down and argue Thailand should deservedly be bashed in area's where it fails. BUT, a number of posters on this forum struggle to reconcile the difference between caring, critical observations and criticism and dislike - binary thinkers struggle with objective opinions... as much as I love Thailand, there are aspects I hate and dislike. So... the topic title... "If you cant be happy Thailand".... I think the person who can't be happy in Thailand is not going to be happy anywhere... But also, the person who thinks Thailand is amazing in all aspects and should never be criticised has pulled the wool so far over their own eyes they are choking on fluff.... There is a lot to like here in Thailand, there is a lot not to like.... much of the issue then is how we reconcile the pro's and con's. I do see some posters; which I suspect is the trigger for the thread, that are so negative about every aspect of Thailand I do wonder what they are doing here... They seem to hate the culture, hate the people and have no idea 'its them' not everyone else who is the issue. It seems every negative encounter they have is self inflicted (some perhaps aren't)... But Thai's like many other nationalities are incredibly intuitive, even if its just on a subconscious level... and thus, when a negative person is encountering something negative, they blame everyone else but themself.... I can list the posters on this forum who I consider seem to struggle to be here, they all have similar traits and as far as I can tell, are here because they'd striggle to get tail in their home countries. - Don't speak Thai - Don't want to speak Thai - Don't want to interact with Thai's - Don't feel interaction with Thai's is necessary - Don't want to mix with other Foreigners - Are highly misogynistic - Blame everyone else for failed relationships or business - Are divorced (some more than once) - Are opinionated to the point of bigotry - Are unaware of their racist undertones (they are racists but wouldn't accept that accusation) - Are unaware that they are fundamentally 'under-educated'

OK great... encourage tourism to Kalasin... encourage tourism throughout the Kingdom.... But, when Kalasin is just 1 hour from Khon Kaen, then why is there any need for a new airport ? I can only think of one reason.... a group of good old boys have found a way to nose their way to the trough.