androokery

Bollards. We need bollards.

A lot of cars and almost all motorbikes ignore red lights at these pedestrian crossings. And they jump the change every time. I was wondering why that happened all the time. And then I realised that the lowest level of transport is not a pedestrian in Thailand - theoretically they don't exist. Thai people will not walk anywhere. In Europe the modes of transport are, from lowest to highest; pedestrian, bicycle, motorbike, car, EMS. And the lowest levels are allowed to ignore the rules of the road - well a little bit anyway. Motorbike drivers in Thailand are acting very much like pedestrians in other countries, ignoring traffic lights, zebra crossings, overtaking on the inside or the outside, direction of traffic etc. Once I realised this, I calmed down a little bit - but it still pisses me off when they ignore red lights.

Pretty easy as a tourist to only know that Samet is an island. And have no idea that the entire island is a national park with an entrance fee.

Exactly, where's Russell Crowe when we need him?

Isn't Koh Samet a well-known fee trap? In that they only inform you of the entrance fee when you get off the ferry? Not before you travel.

I find it weird that they choose to insult me for such tiny sums. I was charged 20 baht extra at a street food cart because I am not Thai. Obviously I never bought any more food from that seller.

That's the one where the parking is reserved for Thai people?

I would say no. But if the handbag is still clearly unused, worth GBP5000 and is in its original packaging, the shoes are rare GBP50000 sneakers in a vacuum sealed package, the two t-shirts are original Prada at GBP800 with hangtags still on, the bikini is handknitted gold filament designer wear at GBP10000 and the Rolex is a brand new expensive model in unopened original package - get prepared to pay taxes.

How is it clearly fraudulent? There were new unused items in original boxes at a value far exceeding the limits set out by law. Theoretically, if travelling with LV or Gucci bags means you not only have to pay exorbitant prices to acquire them, but also pay through your nose to travel with them, don't these bags just get more desirable as a way of saying you have enormous wealth, a very desirable status symbol - beyond the silly level they have already attained?

With the introduction of Pit Bull type dogs that are running around in Thailand now, we can expect the soi dog problem to grow exponentially. When that particular breed is introduced into the gene pool there won't be many small or medium sized dogs about. And the risk level for "protecting the strays" will be extreme.

Yeah this has happened to me several times, some alpha dog challenges me from the front, barking its little head off, while another sneaky SOB circles around to bite my ankle/calf/heel. Luckily I'm aware of this tactic and start swinging whatever I have with me. But it's just a matter of time until they get me.

Thanks for using the word "infest".

"Dogs born here have just as much right to a life here than some people who chose to come and live here." - This sentence barely makes sense, but if interpreted correctly it is a 180 degree U-turn on your statement "I'm not defending this dog".

I'm pretty sure Russell Crowe can change it with a tweet. Just shame the right people...

"So... this salad doesn't contain any prawns, shrimp or other seafood?" "Yes." "There are no prawns?" "Yes." I seem to recall there's an issue with posing negative questions to people in general. And to Thai people especially. Not saying that happened here though.

You do understand that people only find out that their partner is a psycho when it's too late? You can congratulate yourself on having a partner you can depend on, but the final verdict isn't in yet. This Danish man, had he not survived the attack, may have gone to his grave trusting his partner as much as you trust yours.

One way or a walking street. Maybe with electric scooters rentals (18 kph/max).

The 300 baht insurance is meant to cover the government, not the individual. This money is to cover the costs for the country of Thailand whenever an uninsured tourist is injured while visiting. If you think it is meant to cover the tourist as a replacement for other insurance, then the premium will be around 4000 baht per 30 days.

The implementation of this will be a nightmare - one that will actually impact me directly as I'll be tasked with handling the development work for this on the airline side. The Thai authorities just pushed all the costs associated with levying this tax onto travel companies and airlines.

Yes it would make them puritans. You just wrote "morally wrong".

Just basic penetration. No oral, anal, finishing in exciting places, etc.

I met a girl at a bar on Walking Street who told me she loved groups of Indian guys. According to her they were quick, clean and polite. Two hours of work could result in 4,000-6,000 baht and it was basically just vanilla sex. Easy money. I was surprised at this. And I guess she might not be representative of the majority in Pattaya. But it's an interesting viewpoint.

If you think paying for sexual services is wrong, you may be in the wrong country, maybe even in the wrong continent.

That must be because your mind goes into some weird places with this limited information. No-one was hurt. Other than maybe you.

Bars without the girls? Why would I ever go there?