richard_smith237

36 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

However, in my opinion most people are sensible and show respect to the ones who wish so.

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. 

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.

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

According to Ms. Mod, her boyfriend became aggressive without warning, pulling her hair and striking her on the head with a beer bottle. She claimed to have repeatedly pleaded with him to stop, but to no avail. In the struggle, the beer bottle shattered. In self-defence, she said she grabbed a shard and stabbed him.

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. 

42 minutes ago, Barnet1900 said:

Sympathy for the victims but stories like these highlight the mental stress many natives are under.

 

The elite and many in control are content with the Land of Smiles, Thainess hub BS as it hides the truth so conveniently.

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.

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Of course your better educated Thai friends may just be being polite and don't want to cause offense and are just parroting your thoughts and opinions?

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.

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Maybe they don't like the idea of a non-Thai banging on about the need to change but prefer to be non-confrontational as that in itself is quintessentially Thai behaviour.

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.

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

As for suggesting that the ones you don't know are ignorant, that's not very nice.

I used the 'term innocently ignorant'...   perhaps rethink your faux-offense, its a bit childish.

Obviously there are mixed responses to this.

First and foremost - use of devices needs to be well managed by responsible parenting.

Phones & iPads are excellent devices for kids when not over used - as an educational tool they are outstanding....  from Maths Apps, Art Apps, educational YouTube videos and of course the games kids love to play.

There is no reason for an iPad or an iPhone to be the enemy of child development, quite the opposite in fact - but, poor parenting can make these devices the enemy. 

My son has loads of devices: 

- iPad - half of which he paid for himself (with gift money) - he keeps in contact with his friends, plays Roblox and minecraft online with friends.

He also uses the iPad for School work (the need their own device for that).

- iPhone - This is more for us so we can contact him at school if we are late to pick-him up (its happened once), he also takes this to restaurants, after we've eaten and he's the only child there and we're chatting and drinking etc, its unfair for him to sit there bored, he can use his phone.

- Nintendo Switch - We play football on this and other games, good fun together, also on the planes.

- VR headset (Meta Quest) - my son uses this at weekends, has great fun playing online games. 

All of this, the timing is managed by our Son - He's 'warned' he manages his own time, make intelligent choices - if he uses the devices too much, there are consequences and he'll be prevented from using them.

He shows academic excellence, he loves school, has many friends, does 2 hours ECA after school every day (sports, crafts, even cooking).

He deserves his leisure time.

The best part about his devices, particularly an iPad is the amount that he learns - I'm surprised at his knowledge base - he's also understanding about fake-information now, which I consider important as the world is changing to one with a lot of misinformation peddled as fact. 

As far as social media - he keeps in contact with his class group via the school Teams group.

He also keeps in contact with previous class mates who have moved away via discord.

Is he addicted to his smart-phone,  of course he is, we all are - but not to the extent it has any controlling influence over him or us as a family unit. 

I think this is a case of 'farang think too much'.... 

We regularly have overseas guests staying - I've never once considered submitting a TM30 for them.

They don't need it - this is something thats only needed if someone has Immigration business to take care of and has never 'recently' had a TM30 filed anywhere.

I don't even bother submitting a TM30 for myself as I'm in and out (via airport) too often to consider getting any extensions etc at Chaeng Wattana Immigration, which is the only time the TM30 etc is checked.

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, but of course! In this country the perp decide when he is good and ready to show up.

The ayhole needs to be dealt with before he kills someone.

The issue here is that he didn't actually 'do anything' so the Police will handle the issue lightly...  realistically, this mental case needs to be locked up before he kills someone...

Sadly, he'll be free to drive around and continue this mental behavior until he does cross a line and it will cost someone a severe injury or their life.

12 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

You really have to be extremely careful on the roads in Thailand.  Even if you are the victim of something, the perp might end up attacking you if you complain.

Yesterday, I watched through my rear-view mirror as a new Toyota Alphard weaved recklessly through traffic, making sudden, aggressive moves - right up to my rear bumper - while we were travelling at 100–120 km/h.

The driver undertook me, then sharply cut in front, forcing me to brake. I observed the same erratic behaviour repeated: overtaking, swerving in, cutting off other vehicles.

By the time the van was 100 metres ahead, it had boxed in a car and was deliberately impeding it. I can only assume the other driver had used their horn - apparently enough to provoke the aggressive hostile reaction.

There are truly some unhinged individuals on the road - This behavior is not isolated, I've seen it a few times first hand and also on plenty of videos which often make the news.

5 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Nothing to do with speed, none whatsoever. It's the stopping, and how that's achieved that's delivering the injuries and deaths, not the speed.

Repurposing the quote from Collateral (movie with Tom Cruise) ?

Max: You killed him?

Vincent: No, I shot him. Bullets and the fall killed him.

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

...break the law, using corrupt police behaviour as an excuse.

I’m not sure a couple of beers would have put them (friends) over the limit - we just didn’t want to deal with the ‘ensuing theatre’ of the BiB messing us about if the ‘wand’ detected the presence of alcohol. 

… so yes..  we used corruption to avoid having our time wasted.
 

Perhaps that’s as bad as regularly driving well over the legal limit & / or while stoned over 600 times….  

You can make that evaluation. 
 

26 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Large or small?

 
Small… (320ml)

2x 620ml (5%) large beers is enough to put anyone over a DUI limit.

85kg male - A beer every 30mins = calculated BAC of 0.077% at 1 hour.

2x 320ml (5%) = 0.036% BAC at 1 hour.

Outstanding stuff - tweedle dumb, tweedle dumber & tweedle half-wit have teamed up…. 
… a three man circle of cretinry so dense it bends light ! 

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

you’ve also admitted to taking drugs on this forum

And you've admitted driving after a few beers so practice what you preach.

 

Oh hold on, you'd just call your policeman buddy and ask for a get out of jail free card.

 

Hypocrite

Quote & accuse accurately -  I’ve admitted to driving after 2 beers….

… Until I realised that ‘might’ nudge me over the DUI limit…. That was a while ago. 

But if someone close to me stuffs up.., yes, I’ll help however I can. ….  Im

somewhat of a hypocrite that way. 

11 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

It is about my limit now I have moved on to large bottles instead of small.

My problem with that statement is that for once I actually believe you! 

Instead of 12x 320cc bottles of Chang he has 6x 620cc bottles - because thats half as many... 

... Genius !!!  

19 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I don’t know how many times I have to say it.

If you are going to drive after having a few PLEASE drive safely. What I am advocating will save lives. I would like to think people have listened and many lives have been saved already. 
When people are leaving the pub I always say goodbye with a friendly reminder to drive safely. 
I am making a difference.

Olympic-scale delusion on a pathological level.

You actually believe your own rubbish, parading around attempting this holier-than-thou tone while knee-deep in your own moral sewage.

Then you have the gall to preach about road safety? You're not just a walking contradiction - you’re a full-blown farce. A tragic joke wrapped in arrogance.

And that little "drive safe" line for people leaving the bar? Like a thief warning others to lock their doors, or a liar lecturing on truth. You are the cautionary tale, oblivious to your own punchline.

Spare us the act. You're not a voice of reason - you’re the warning label.

You're not helping. You’re mocking. Whether you realise it or not.

Your comments aren't just hypocrisy - they're a masterclass in self-delusion and moral rot.

5 minutes ago, watchcat said:

What about people who doesnt have abobile phone, what do they do?

It seems there will be options to fill out the digital form on arrival.

I'm assuming there will be 'iPad stations' where this can be carried out.

5 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I'm at greater risk when riding

Yes, very dangerous.

Think of your son.

Interesting that this is the first time as a 'drunk driver' you have shown any consideration for anyone else....

... Shame its just a toxic masked attempt to deflect and troll....    typical of your vapid character. 

Just now, MalcolmB said:

Which is why I am very careful crossing the road and stay off bikes, way too dangerous in Thailand.

Agreed - we have to watch out for the drunk drivers who fail to see us.

When / if you hit a pedestrian or motorcyclist while drunk driving, it will be because they were not careful enough when you are nearby, right ?  

Just now, MalcolmB said:

80% of deaths in Thailand are on motorbikes. I believe you ride. Whether you like it or not you are a lot more likely to die on Thailands roads than me.

I agree...   I'm at greater risk when riding (I drive and ride)....  and I'm at even greater risk if I ride a night, because of selfish ayhole drink drivers !!! (which is one of the reasons I won't ride at night).

Just now, MalcolmB said:

Maybe you should have a good hard look in the mirror before criticizing me all the time.

I should take a good hard look in the mirror because I drive and ride legally and criticise you for your self-centred selfishness in putting other road users in mortal danger because you lack the consideration and self control not to drink and drive....   

The attempted deflection is completely idiotic - you really didn't think that one through, again, highlighting your mental flaws. 

6 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

24 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Speeding was identified as the leading cause of these accidents, accounting for 38.9% of the total, followed by drunk driving at 31.6%

What is the figure for those who were both drunk and speeding?

No idea, though somewhere between I suspect.

Also, I question the accuracy of the DUI stats as not everyone is tested. Are the deceased tested for alcohol ?

Malcy's point is not invalid - speeding is certainly an issue, but his deflection to suggest speed is solely the issue, or its only the drink drivers who speed who are an issue simply outs his delusional stupidity.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

I don’t think the new requirements will change the current process followed by an immigration officer. Currently they scan passports by putting them on a reader, then flip the pages to see if there are any red flags, check the photo to the face of the traveller, press the photo button and then put in a stamp. 
 

might be wrong, but I think all that ( which isn’t much) will still be done. The details from the new system are just stored in case of need at a later date.

 

One issue is that it won’t let Thailand be entered as a country of residence. Perhaps an issue for long term visa holders who actually live in Thailand. Have to make up something I guess

Valid points....    in which case, the only value it has is to 'locate' a visitor by the address they put in the system.... Which IF someone is a criminal, they'll put a false address in anyway, which makes a mockery of the system.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

Oilfield trash.

 

Hence the cash - it can be 'get out of trouble money' in some countries if things go sideways.... 

... Particularly in some of the corrupt <deleted>-holes oil-fielders end up in... 

Hard work - dangerous areas... Respect.

1 hour ago, marin said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Plenty of ppl always have cash with them. 
I always travel with US$1000 emergency cash (+ various cards).

Do you put it in your carry on and then in the overhead compartment? I too as well as the wife always carry cash, but its on our person, safe. 

Yep...  it goes with everything else in the overhead storage... 

I'm not worried about it - I'll just be more vigilant about locking the bag.