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Yes, Thailand can be an extremely frustrating country to live in.  Not really breaking news though!

On 4/3/2024 at 2:52 PM, Dan O said:

I had an accident a couple months ago. I was driving my truck at posted speed limit in the left lane and a thai girl on a scooter was behind me about 50 to 70 meters in the lane not on the shoulder. About 100 feet before my soi I put on my turn signal and started to slow down. Check to the right and looked behind me as I was reaching the turn.  She was closer, about 25 meters but still in the lane behind me. I slowed more to make the turn which was a sharp left and at the last second she decided to try to pass me on the shoulder on the left side where I was turning. She hit me in the back fender and slide down the whole side of the truck falling in the street in front of me. Several of the locals came over and where yacking at me that it was my fault although no one was outside when it occured. I picked the bike up off the girl who had 2 cuts on her foot and a little road rash on her elbow. Then the locals pushed me away and wouldnt let me near her. Ambulance came and took her away and police showed up a few minutes later. all the locals claimed she was beside me when I hit her, well partially true she did hit me in the side. No CCTV anywhere. Cop talked to me and the locals and draw a picture showing exactly what I just described. We went to the police station and my insurance guy showed up, she had none. Cop showed the insurance guy the pic he had drawn which was accurate and they spoke in thai to each other. The insurance guy then says to me that I am at fault as I was turning and she was going straight so she had right of way ??????? and I was suppose to stop and let her pass me before I turned. I said no and explained again what happened and showed the pic the cop had drawn and said she tried to pass me on the shoulder knowing I was turning. He just kept smiling and said ok wait here and went back to talk to the cop. Cop comes back with the insurance guy and with a straight face says Im at fault because I cant prove my story and the locals all claimed they saw it. He then says the damage to the truck looks like you described though BUT if I agree to just say I did not see her when she was passing me as I was turning no charges would be filed and the insurance guy would agree to pay for her bike and medical damages and lost wages. The cop said if I dont agree the girls family already want to press charges against me and he doesnt want that as it can be solved easily and he promised that no charges or court and fees to me. SO the insurance guys writes up the report just as I described but inserts a line that said "as I was making my turn I did not see the girl start to pass me on the shoulder and we collided. Insurance agrees to accept responsibility for the damages and medical and no charges are filed." I read it over a couple times and was not happy about it and told the insurance guy and cop that.  The cop, who was actually a pretty decent guy, says to me, look your a foreigner and I have nothing I can put into the report and no cctv to back up your explanation. They have the locals that claim they saw it and if it goes to court who do you think will win? So I say ok and he took the insurance report and on his official police accident report just made a note saying see accident diagram and insurance report. I signed the insurance report, no charges or fees and the cop kept his word and actually told the family at one point they needed to be thankful everything was paid for and she wasnt killed for being stupid and hoped she will remember this.

A good solution for all.  Nice to see that the myth about always blaming the foreigner is indeed a myth.

I'd say there are more disgusting examples of Thai food, mostly involving chicken feet, duck lips and varieties of offal and entrails.  Not to mention the ubiquitous 'pla-rah' and other horrors.   Probably one of the most over-rated cuisines in the world, unless you stick to the delicious touristy stuff.

15 hours ago, rexpotter said:

How can anyone live in that place?

 People all over the world unfortunately have to.

London in the 1950s was a killer! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Smog_of_London

7 hours ago, ChipButty said:

He probably got tired of being on the run, Now 80 years old now he will get a clean bed 3 meals a day and an hours exercise, Free medical care, 

And he'll get the uplift for his State pension.

Maybe the students just want to use English like native speakers, so probably not worth confusing them.

14 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I'd assume the solution is somewhat obvious and donate them to a temple school.... 

 

That said, what language are the text books in ????

 

 

Thai and English.

13 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

Easyest Way: Bring your old Passport with you to the Immigration to top up the new one....they do the Rest....At least that's how I experienced it in Hua Hin!

Just beware a bogus 500 baht fee.  It transferring stamps to a new passport should be free, but some offices make a charge, including Hua Hin.  Resist!

6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Handwritten remarks can be very helpful, see Harry Potter.

 

 

Ok, seriously, I don't know about the schools.

But I know that some parents struggle with buying things for school. I am sure some parents will be happy to get books for free - even if they are not brand new. 

 

 

 

 

Love the Harry Potter book!  Wish my son wrote like that.  I'll see if the school accepts donated books.  

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

2 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How about donating them to the school for future pupils? 

I had thought of that, but most of them have been written in and look well-used.  Do most schools take back used books?  

My son has just completed year 3 (Primary) at an English Program school and has a huge pile of course books and work books, both English and Thai.  Most have been written in, although some appear to be virtually unused.  He'll be getting new books when the new academic year starts in May.  I still have his books from P2 as well!

What do most parents do with them?  Just dump the whole lot in the bin?  Can they be recycled in any way?  Keep them for posterity?

People complain about the air quality in Thailand - and then smoke?!  Strange world.

1 hour ago, n00dle said:

that is ridiculous. it is like visiting a doctor in Thailand 20 years ago.

It's ridiculous and dangerous how over-prescribed antibiotics are in Thailand.  It's a cough & a cold for goodness sake!

5 minutes ago, marin said:

I would disagree here. Why do you think Thailand is not a good place to raise kids? If you have the money for good schooling it is a great place to raise kids. 

 I agree.  Very happy to be raising my son here rather than in the UK!

I switched from Regency for Expats a few years ago, as they wouldn't pay for a private room for my child.  All rooms have to be "semi-private".