StayinThailand2much

I know. I'm white, male, and heterosexual, ergo bad, bad, bad, and the reason for all the world's troubles... But no, not everyone knew about that one-time event in Sydney, contrary to Mardi Gras... (And I challenge you to do a survey, say, in Bangkok, randomly asking people what 'Mardi Gras' is, not to mention 'when'. Wonder, if only 1 out of twenty would know about it...)

I had nothing against such events until recently, that is until such an event in Sydney earlier this year totally f***** up my Australia holiday, thanks to huge traffic jams it created. Just tell me 'when' and 'where' something like this takes place in Thailand so that I can stay away and avoid it...

If they are bad guys, no way they are 100% Thai...* (*sarcasm)

Most Thai women I encounter online seem to be after quick sex for $$, and the 'rest' don't really seem to know what they want... It seems to me so bad now, that, after being solo for almost 3 years, I am contemplating to change my residence to the Philippines.

Many Indian tourists (mostly male) in Pattaya, definitely since late March until now, so maybe it's just a question of what places in Thailand they like best...

Opening a bank account with SCB (as a foreigner) has always been a challenge unless one is recommended by a current customer.

I wouldn't either. How can a Thai citizen be on overstay in Thailand?

I once had a girlfriend whose parents were money-lenders. Both were Thai teachers in their day-jobs. The father had a handgun collection. If debtors couldn't pay loans back in time, this couple would go there, knock on the door, gun in hand, asking for the money back. - They also had a farm. One day I went there with them. The father pointed to a hill on the farm, asking me if I liked it. I said it looked nice. Later my then girlfriend translated, 'if I had said that I liked the hill, he would have given it to me'...

I wish they would use as much scrutiny checking taxi services in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, etc., so that people are not systematically and gangland-style ripped off... Now that would earn them praise from everyone, not just tourists.

T. has always just cared about himself, and enriching himself and his family to the disadvantage of the country. But he is an able demagogue and manipulator of people's opinion...

Nothing new, but charging 4,000 or 5,000 baht must be from the playbook of the Phuket taxi m̶a̶f̶i̶a̶ organisation...

I've been observing the problems, and the measures suggested and taken by authorities over the past 25 years, and it has only gotten worse and worse... Yes, there are 'honest' taxi drivers who just do their job, but, generally, using a taxi in Bangkok (not to mention other places) has become more and more a nuisance...

That's why I don't use 'regular' taxis anymore, cause... 1. They either want to overcharge you upfront, or cheat you after you're in the cab, announcing to you that they won't use their meter. 2. It is sometimes a pain to get a taxi, cause they don't like longer trips, or only want to go certain routes, don't like it if you have larger bags, etc. 3. They don't speak or understand English (anymore), unlike taxi drivers 10 or 20 years ago. 4. They often don't know how to get to the destination (if it isn't the airport or another landmark)! And a good number don't seem to be able to read properly, and follow GPS instructions. 5. They sometimes use longer routes than necessary, thereby wasting passengers' time and money.

Not surprising.

Maybe waiting for a better financial offer from China...

There are many Thais who actually believe this, thanks to decades of propaganda... - I'm sure, charging THAIFEX exhibition people 4,000 to 5,000 baht for taxi rides from Muang Thong Thani to Bangkok downtown recently, just to name one example, was a big misunderstanding, and we will be bombarded the next couple days with stories of 'honest taxi drivers returning wallets with 5 million baht in it, and briefcases full of rolexes, gold bars, pearls, and diamonds'... Or, some might remember, just after the tsunami 2004, foreigners trying to get to Phuket Airport... taxi driver: "5,000 baht", tourist: "Don't have.", taxi driver: "You walk!" But as I often hear, all Thais are "jai-dee" and honest... Thailand a perfect example of the old adage of “a thief shouting 'stop thief!'”

If in doubt, treat all foreigners as potential criminals. - "Land of smiles", as if...

One homeless guy almost drowned in Pattaya's sea about a month ago. I saw him floating while I was swimming nearby, and, when I realised it, I pulled him out. Read later online that he was resuscitated at the hospital, and that he was homeless. He was very lucky; a bit longer head-down in the water, and he would have been gone. Life-guards tried for more than 20 minutes to bring him back on the beach while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, but without success.

Probably fell on hard economic times during the pandemic, with no money for a flight and holiday down south...

Interesting. '100' human deaths per year thanks to accidents with deer. And hippos almost as dangerous as crocs. Wonder who goes swimming with, or walks too close to hippos? Strangely, though, no mention of sharks. Okay, maybe there are less than '100'...

A horrible way, but, at least, he's famous now...

Hate when that happens.

No one really does... They are as unpopular as visitors in Oz and NZ, as they are in Hong Kong. (Probably in more places so, but for the places I named I know it as a fact.)

I'm more worried about the numbskulls from Pheu Thai... Apart from this, higher living costs, etc., I am not worried for the next ten years. Also, there are alternatives. I'm not 'married' to Thailand, after all, and (location) change is good.

Who cares? Let them have the stinky stuff. I hardly ever eat durian, and it's one of only a few fruit I dislike.