richard_smith237

While similar sounding... Mocha coffee and Moka Pot are different things. Mocha is a coffee bean that originated in Yemen and was known for its 'chocolatey' notes - this evolved into Coffee Shops making Mocha coffee with regular coffee and cocoa powder (or actual chocolate). Whereas the Moka Pot is a specific brewing technique (subject of this thread).

As pointed out... when slowing, anything that has rolled into the footwell, can also roll under the pedals.... There's a strong argument to suggest it should be retrieved as quickly as possible (though the accident itself contradicts this)... ... this is a case of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' - the link below highlights an accident where a thermos rolled under the pedals, perhaps there's an argument to suggest the drive 'should have' retrieved the flask ASAP. Its easy to judge with 20/20 hindsight. IMO - thats rather poor hindsight - should those judgemental enough to suggest they have never made a mistake on the road not instead suggest that nothing should be present to roll into the drivers footwell in the first place instead of suggesting he slowed to a halt ? Additionally: this incident could have occurred in many other ways. Had the driver stopped to retrieve the item and was rear ended by a truck, would those with 20/20 hindsight not then suggest he should have retrieved the item quickly to avoid stopping and becoming a hazard. Too many variables of course - the non-variable are the 'experts' forgetting they too are human and that mistakes are made. https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/21/deadly-bus-crash-was-caused-by-drivers-thermos-getting-stuck-under-brake-pedal-8706682/

The driver of the cam car in the right lane should also have not stopped and broken the law ? Its such attitudes and behavior that enables drivers to continue driving in this manner contributing to Thailands terrible road accident and fatality stats. I get the point you are trying to make - its made by many - but its an uncivilised attitude that will never lead to any improvement in 'road attitudes' I read posters on here suggesting they never stop at a pedestrian crossing as it offers the 'crosser' the impression of safety (that its now safe to cross) and another driver / rider will blow through the crossing hitting them. When first at a crossing, I 'try not to stop' when on my motorcycle for fear the vehicle behind will not stop and hit me, but in the car I follow the law and stop - its up to the pedestrians to also cross with safety in mind and look out - all of the videos I've seen where pedestrians are hit on a crossing have crossed without looking for traffic, which I find a somewhat shocking lack of self-preservation given Thailands driving standards. Thats because the reckless drivers are 'enabled' by the lack of enforcement and lack of penalties - it contributes towards the uncivilised road attitudes.

The laws in Thailand are actually pretty good - the 'same system' you suggest, actually exists. Pedestrians on a crossing in Thailand do have right of way. The issue of course are not the laws themselves, but lack of enforcement, lack of penalties to such an extent the laws become useless and no-one knows them, cares about them or adheres to any of them even when they are widely known.... All of that said: Walking across the road like that, particularly with a child, without attempting to pay any attending to oncoming traffic shows an extreme lack of self preservation and awareness it borders on complete parental negligence. Thats not victim blaming - the driver of the Songthaew was clearly at fault for speeding and showing no regard for anyone else's safety - but unless these drivers are dealt with seriously and publicly, no one will take notice of the laws that are in place already.

Witht the daily reporting of a foreigner doing something wrong her, some don't realize that 99% of criminal and stupid activity here is still locals against locals. More than 99%... but most of it is of no interest to the social media rhetoric that either likes to point the finger at foreigners, or serves foreign social media. There is also the element that when Thai's commit violence it considered normal by many because it is expected and they know no better, where as foreigners 'should' know better than to behave as they have, for some reason attracting more commentary.

100% - but you'll be accused of being a 'Farang Apologist' and a 'Thai Basher' for making such observations... Of course, its easy to suggest the Western guy had it coming, because he did... But as you point out, 'security' should be held to a higher standard and de-escalate the situation instead of actively escalating to violence. The idiot Westerner makes Thailand look bad, but so do the security and all the others who join in. While watching the video, I'm surprised the Security didn't react earlier, he showed initial restraint and of course, like most people I wanted to Western idiot to receive his comeuppance, after-all, what an utter tosspot - nevertheless, the reaction from the security does nothing to service Thailands reputation as anything other than a mongers paradise full of idiots and violence - which of course is untrue for the vast majority of areas - but the normal stuff is not spread through the social media - just this craziness.

Indeed... thank you for being someone to laugh at - you're a great service to the forum community.

Evidently considerably better than you And there is your flaw.... the delusion. The moment you announce you're “better,” you expose the exact opposite. Confidence built on ignorance isn’t superiority. Your response shouts 'Dunning-Kruger effect'... highlighting your cognative bias and zero self-awareness. You’re not making a point; you’re performing your own lack of insight. Claiming to be a “better driver” than someone you’ve never even encountered? That level of baseless arrogance is cognitive flatlining.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1338306-passport-required-for-domestic-flights-i-have-a-thai-dl/ https://aseannow.com/topic/846749-domestic-thai-flight-without-passport-yes-again/ https://aseannow.com/topic/1011119-local-flight-without-passport-possible/

Same was said for previous generations. They'll be fine (most of them, anyway!) & we can see how 'some' of the previous generations were messed up with their daft 'boomer' generalisations....

Because you're a perfect driver and have never ever made a mistake.... right ?

Why 'fine him' ?.... it was an accident, he made a silly mistake... They happen all the time all over the world... Its the same as if someone pulled out in front of someone else - its an an accident, no one gets fined for those sort of events. He wasn't speeding or drunk etc...

It was an accident, he made a daft mistake... Luckily no one else what involved or hurt. At least it wasn't a Drunk Driver, dangerous driving etc causing the accident like so many others. Some excellent 20/20 hindsight going in this thread already !!...

These 'stones' weigh tonnes - its not a pile of small rocks that can easily be handled. GeorgeAlberts response above should help educate you a little.

You highlight the true ignorance of someone who has no idea of the subject matter they are attempting to discuss.

I don't think you considered your response with any sensible critical thought whatsoever. Have you even seen photo's of the wreckage ? Its now a 20 meter pile of twisted rebar and rubble - thats the equivalent of 6 stories high. Do you expect solders to be able to cut the twisted rebar and carry out blocks of concrete by hand? .... as hotchilli wrote, its a tall order, and as jcmj wrote, there really is no need to rush things now.

What to do if your Thai / Western child (who has a Thai ID card) is going to be educated overseas (secondary through University) ???

Very possible... every discussion is a learning curve... try it.

Flippin drunk drivers again - there really needs to extreme penalties for this… … too many selfish ayholes simply do have any concern for the consequences of getting caught…, & don’t care if they hurt & kill someone. some of them forum members here too…

Yup - that’s what I see too… ‘most ppl’ are respectful & sensible. But the key thing is area - the ones arguing the opposite are probably dying read between your lines & have generalised.

No, the story suggest the Yaba made him delusional... believing his wife was unfaithful and that people were plotting to kill him....

Without any criticism of the AN news team who I understand work hard to bring us information and news sourced from many different recognised and reputable news sources..... We have just the one side of the story from Ms. Mod, but no comment from other party. I'm not sure we should take one version of events as fact, rather, both sides would need to be considered for better evaluation of events. I'd be interested to hear what the Indian man had to say - and suggest that the truth is somewhere between both events.

Yet so many of society do not succumb to the 'stresses' and maintain a solid family - we just hear the tragedies such as this in the news. How horrific it must have been for the mother to watch her daughter murdered as 'nasty-drugs' tear apart another family. If he wanted a release, surely a joint would have been a better option - there was no mention if he had taken Yaba before, but the story seems to give the impression this was a first time use.

I think it might depend more 'where you are'.... If you are in an area which is more or less 'zoned' (officially or otherwise) for water throwing - Its almost impossible to avoid some tool shooting water in your direction. That said, its unwise to enter such area's with the expectation that you are going to remain dry. In area's outside of the main mayhem, intentions seem much more reserved and as you say Gottfrid, a raised hand is more than sufficient to request you are left alone. We have a whole spectrum of Songkran revelers in Thailand, from those who can remain sensible, to those who run up and shoot iced water in your face from point blank range - lucky the worst can be avoided because they are in those area's we know to avoid.

Nope... not when friends have been close friends for decades and also find subjects that we disagree on. Perhaps you've not had long lasting close friendships here, so may not be able to picture a normal cross cultural friendship. You've shoehorned in a bias of yours... discussions can be held without confrontation - again, you may not be able to picture a normal cross cultural friendship - discussion is quite normal. The 'general non confrontational nature' of Thai's does not mean they are incapable of healthy discussion - you seem ignorant to that reality. I used the 'term innocently ignorant'... perhaps rethink your faux-offense, its a bit childish.