BangkokReady

How can someone have the nationality of "British", then?

Presumably, if Smith sounded the alarm, that would have prompted a full investigation into the travel history of the passport, including photos submitted for renewal and taken at airports. They may have shown these to the real Smith, to see if he recognised the person who stole his passport. He probably never forgot this person.

Did he actually stop breathing? If not, chest-compressions are a bit risky.

Is the Phuket Go trying to get his friends in trouble? They probably didn't know anything about it. Why would he bring it up at all to anyone?

Aren't the juristic people the ones who run condos? Perhaps Bob lives in some sort of managed gated community? Or that's just a word that he heard somewhere so he added it to the story?

Does seem strange - if they had a phone, there are plenty of mapping apps available to get one out of trouble. And apparently they were less than 500 metres away... 🤔 "Their location was between the hotel and the top of the cape which was about 500 meters away." I'm thinking they knew where they were, but didn't know how to get across the terrain.

I love how this story shows the two very different sides to Thai people.

As apposed to figuratively keeping them out? Good job they made that clear. 🙄

I like the nod rather than waving. It's so easy to miss-time a wave and end up blanking someone or having your wave go unnoticed. With a nod, you're just looking, then you nod, and it's done.

Cleaners. Cleaners in Thailand. Not like the ones back home. Young, cheerful, slim, attractive. Presumably poor, from a province, travelled to a big city to earn more money. Does it ever cross your mind? Might they be interested in a relationship with a foreigner? What might that relationship be like? Presumably no English and a low level of education. But that doesn't mean a bad person. Obviously, looks count for a lot from a man's perspective, but would that be enough? Thoughts?

You have to have some idea of how to behave to get the best experience if staying in Thailand long-term. Obviously, the tourists who say "Thai people are the friendliest, kindest, most relaxed people", have only had a very superficial and shallow experience. They don't see the downsides to the very relaxed "mai bpen rai" attitude (vice, crime, abuse, corruption). They're also in holiday mode, with plenty of money and staying in hotels, so aren't really exposed to many of the day-to-day challenges. Generally, I like the way that most Thais get on with each other. They're pretty trusting and trustworthy. They like to relax and have fun. I like the sense of humour. They're very often polite and considerate in many ways. They don't make too much noise (outside of cars, motorbikes and karaoke). Riding the BTS is fairly peaceful. I find they can be a little shy/sweet/awkward, which is quite nice. Buddhism is one of the better "religions", with it's teachings on lack of attachment. The respecting older people and caring for parents is nice to see. Most Western kids wouldn't be caught dead hanging out with their parents and grandparents at the weekend. Nice temples. Lots of joy to be found. There's plenty to like.

Only in a few situations and because they are scared of consequences. Make a Thai lose face, even through no fault of your own, and they can hate and shun you forever.

Couldn't people with lower n-count actually have more sex? Not sure this survey is saying what is claimed.

🤔

It's pretty telling that he chose to label you as "homophobic", since you haven't said anything negative about homosexuals at all.

Trans people want the law allowing same sex marriages to have elements that give legal affirmation of their chosen genders. So the complaints actually have nothing to do with the essence of the law. That's why it's a little confusing.

It's less about tolerance and more about gender affirming wording. It sounds like their concern is not about whether they can marry or not, but that the wording within the bill doesn't effectively mean: "If two biological females, one of whom now wants to be a man, are married and living with one of the couple's children, they will be legally considered a man and a woman and the legal parents of those children". So, it seems that they're hoping for a little more than simply being married to be tacked on to the end. Possibly, they should be happy about the progress in terms of same-sex marriage, and maybe leave the gender affirming stuff for now.

That is interesting... 🤔

Opportunity cost.

What about people who are overweight and unhappy or are faced with debilitating medical conditions? Also, a lot of people watch what they eat and get regular exercise, and are happier as a result of feeling and looking better than they would do if they ate unhealthily.

Except the female athletes, who would have unequal opportunities and have their inclusion limited... 🙄 Perhaps I should explain quickly while I have time to edit, since someone is apparently confused by the above. If people with male bodies are allowed to compete in women's' sports, they have an advantage over people with female bodies. This means the opportunities of those people with female bodies, as well as their inclusion within the sport, is not equal to that of the people with male bodies, as, with their advantage, they will dominate the people with female bodies, scoring more, having control of the ball for longer, progressing further, and so on.

The tribal element is huge in American politics. A lot of people like Trump because he stands as being against the wokeness that is ruining much of American culture right now. Similarly, fairly centrist people see how much the left-wing (self-styled "good guys" and claimers of the permanent moral high ground) lie and slander about Trump and find that they can't help but root for him. It's funny, really, because if the left didn't lie so much, people would probably view Trump in a far more negative light. Equally, people are drawn to Biden because he's on "their side" and seen as the only person who can "keep Trump out of the Whitehouse". So matter how corrupt or creepy he is, no matter what his mental health, people can't help but want him to be president. It's all kind of farcical.

But would they not own up to what they did and let the guy blow-up instead? Surely this reflects very badly on the girl and her status?

I don't think anyone suggests that foreign men go looking for prostitutes, it's more that Thai people think so lowly of foreigners that only women who cannot find a Thai man are interested in foreign men. (And, of course, a lot of foreigners are older men looking for younger women.) Not only is there the attitude of people not wanting to date non-Thais, but there is also a great deal of stigma attached to dating a foreigner, where people will either judge the woman as being a prostitute or react negatively and ask her why she is dating a foreigner, to which she might even lie to save face. Of course, this is likely evolving a little as young Thai people begin to become more globalised due to things like internet and social media. I agree, it does make economic sense for poorer Thais to marry foreigners in order to get a better life, but I think the stigma/objection from Thai men/Thai supremacy attitudes stops this from being too common. This is probably the one area where Thai men might become more angry or bitter. However, I think the fairly cavalier attitude to sex and prostitution in Thailand might negate the harshest responses, as this means most Thai men still have access to sex if they want it.

And when the bill comes? Just let your husband fight it out with the other bar girls? Doesn't sound like a great way to "gain face".