Bundooman

Stupid response and totally unnecessary. Some of us don't need to pretend we're kids again nor that we're 'cool'. Our choice.

I'm sorry, would please enlighten me. I am a 'Brit', (as you casually and disparagingly refer to us), and I have been living in Thailand for 18 years now. If it's nearly always us 'Brit', would you please inform me, just how many of us have been capering around Thailand's beaches - or elsewhere in this country, stark bo**ock naked? I don't seem to recall the numbers passing 'two' - if that. Please tell us exactly how many have there been? Thank you.

Well Ms Pareena - pity you didn't think of that when you were deliberately encroaching on the same land in Thailand you want to preserve for your children and grandchildren - similar to what your ancestors did. Where was your concern then?

Or, closer to home - what happened to Thaksin when he left the country for a meeting/conference!

No, it's OK - you keep him there. Bangkok and Chiang Mai don't want him!

So, that's OK then, is it? that's it! He can't afford a car, so it's alright - steering his M/B with one hand, holding a sleeping child with the other, yet unable to use horn or indicating lights. Let's throw in the absence of a helmet as well, shall we? He can't afford it. Why not go further, don't let's worry about a license - he can't afford it, can he? Or the time to go and get one - let alone be qualified... The M/B is probably unroadworthy - but hey - he can't afford the maintenance, or the brake check, or the tyres, or the lights for that matter. So, Insurance isn't really on the cards either, is it? But check this out as well. He can afford the M/B, (possibly an expensive, high-powered one, which he uses on the wrong side of the road, at high speed and weaving crazily in and out of the heavy traffic). His helmet and clothing will be of the latest fashion. In his back pocket, will be the latest model phone, (If not in his hand and in use while steering one-handedly). At home, a big, smart TV. Gaming console, - plenty of empty Lao Khao and Leo bottles and probably, cigarette packets too. Hidden somewhere, there is likely to be his 'stash', a knife, or a machete or even a gun, 'cos he's 'The man!' (Please feel free to add that which I might have missed). So, yes, you're right. I quite agree with you. He deserves leniency. The poor guy just cannot afford the so important articles that might, just might, save his, and his little child's life. Why complicate the poor chap's life, eh?

I interpret that as, 'Fatty has refuted the claim of sleeping on his watch'!

This is exactly what is needed. But going one step further, but nearer to home, if the parents know, (wherever they are living in this country,) that children are swimming somewhere that is likely to be dangerous, i.e., fast-flowing water/weir, steep-sided banks and deep water, etc., then surely it would take very little to construct some simple platforms or basic structures where children could get to, if in trouble in water areas such as this? I'm not saying that this is the answer, because it's true that children, as we all did, take risks, but surely these swimming areas are known to all villagers. It is they who should take the initiative and demand that the village council implement some basic safety measures in these places. Lifebuoy rings similar to those at western seaside resorts might help too if they were secured to a wooden stand, (even though the kids might play on them), they would be there.. You'll never stop the children from going there, but there are some measures they could put in place. But sadly, the will and thought process to do something is not there. This will just happen again ........ and again ...............