Expat Tom

Thai's are very polite until they get behind the wheel of a car or on a motor bike. Instead of selectively harassing foreigners on motor bikes, as is very common on Beach Road in front of the police headquarters in Pattaya, the Thai police could balance their budget by ticketing every THAI driver who refused stop for someone is a marked crosswalk. If the ticked every offender and fined them only 100 baht they could pocket enough bribe money to put their kids through college or they could even turn the money in at their headquarters. The major underlying problem is that THAIS ARE TERRIBLE DRIVERS>

Why did it have to be an American? It is a crass thing to do no matter the nationality of the idiot. But, as an American expat and long time resident of Thailand, when I see one of my countrymen behaving badly I want to just kick the living crap out of him. Every time I see an article like this I hope and pray that the perpetrator is an Aussie or a Russian....just a little dig at my many Aussies friends. 😁

Sometimes it might look like a duck, walk like a duck and quack like a duck but not, in fact, be a duck. All of this is so confusing that it make me very happy to be an old fashion "Straight guy". All I can say is, "To each his/her/? own". I'm sure that Thai authorities can sort it all out with their usual unambiguous efficiency . 🤣

Interesting. How does the fact the Finland has one of the higher rates of alcohol consumption per capita in the world factor into their happiness? Should we just drink more to be happier? Statistically, the Fins consume more booze per person than Thailand. Perhaps the Thais just need to drink more. It least Thailand isn't boring. Finland, along with Norway, Denmark and Sweden are also ranked among the 15 most boring countries in the world. The takeaway from these two interesting facts are; If you are bored and drink yourself into a stupor then you will be happy! ?

Any country that builds its tourism industry on the three pillars of China, India and Russia deserves all of rudeness, disease, and criminality that comes with that decision. I have been in Thailand for over 15 years and taught at one of Thailand's leading universities. I love Thailand but I am completely mobile. After I sold my two condos about 5 years ago I will only be a renter here. I will be sad to leave my second home but almost daily, I add another item of two to my RFL file (Reasons For Leaving). I have an exit plan and, unfortunately, the day may come that I put that plan into action. Let's look at a few simple facts. The FIRST case of Covid 19 reported outside of China was a taxi driver in Bangkok who took two Chinese tourists from the airport to a hotel. Thailand has fallen from 106# on the World Corruption Index in 2023 to 107# in 2024 concurrent with the increase in Russians . BYW, Russia is 141st on that list. Indians are rude and obnoxious and cheap and generally HATED by the average Thai. The Thai government is worried about overstays and other visa issues while bars and clubs advertising Russian ladies operate under glowing neon lights on Walking Street. What kind of visas and work permits do these Russian ladies have....BROWN ENVELOPE VISAS? The corruption is so blatant in Thailand that it requires no research to find it. Its right in your face. I have traveled to over 70 countries and lived for longer than one year in 6 different countries. Thailand's problems are 95% due to terrible government. I will be extremely sad when I leave. I love the culture and the people. The problem is the leadership...or lack of.

I abhor war. I have seen war up close and personal. If there ever was a war I would not want Thailand as an ally. They would either shoot themselves accidently in the foot becoming a liability or accidently shoot their friends in the back. This is NOT are reflection on their military. It is a reflection on their leadership.

Thailand is just doing the bidding of "Big Brother" in China. Nothing unusual to see here. I have two bags. "RFL" -Reasons for Leaving and "RFS" - Reasons for Staying. I think I'll file this story in my RFL bag. In actual fact, I've been here for too many years already. Thailand is growing stale for me. I have been living in Thailand fulltime for over 10 years. In 2025 I will split my time and live elsewhere 6 months a year. I think I will appreciate Thailand a lot more if I spend less time here.

Living proof that the CCP has far too much influence over a supposedly sovereign nation...Thailand. China pounds its drums and Thailand marches. An old NCO from the Vietnam war (known in Vietnam as the American War) told me upon my arrival to keep my feet lose in the sand. I owned a couple of condos here in the past but never again. I love Thailand but do NOT trust their leaders regarding their intentions of competence. I keep my feet lose in the sand here and my exit plan updated. Other than sending the Chinese Uyghurs back to China where they will be likely placed in forced labor, another prime example of idiotic leadership is building Thailand's tourism industry on the three pillars of India, China and Russia and then complaining about the results. The average Thai doesn't like people from these countries but the government could care less. Thailand is the ONLY country in the world who rolls out the red carpet for these countries.

Ok. You are obviously a thin skinned Thai unable to handle any criticism. I love Thailand and have lived here for over 15 years. I have adapted to the culture and even adopted parts. I have travelled to over 70 countries and have not found heaven on earth yet. I have the resources to live where I want. Even though I chose to live in Thailand doesn't mean that Thailand is perfect. Let's make a time to get together on Beach road in front of the police station. Thai motorbike riders far out number farang riders yet for every Thai stopped they will be 10 farang stopped. Farang are stopped even if wearing helmets. Stopping farang is simple harassment and a money grab.

Get serious. If they break to law (IF) then arrest and deport. If they are not breaking the law, leave them alone and be thankful for the money they spend. If you want to focus on a real problem how about all of the "Russian Girls...Aka Hookers" operating under neon lights on Walking Street or Selective biased traffic enforcement (Aka harassment) of farang on motorbikes while giving all Thai riders a free pass.

Is Thailand proud of its new ranking on the World Corruption Perception Index? In 2023 Thailand was ranked as the 106th most corrupt country in the world. In 2024 Thailand slipped to 107th most corrupt country. Maybe that is why the Russians love it here. Russia us ranked 141st on the index, (transparency.org) I have lived here for over 15 years and have avoided any problems. If you are a farang in Thailand, keep your head down and your mouth shut and spend money. If you follow these simple rules the Thais will love you. If you own a motor bike, keep your registration papers, driver's license and 1000 baht in a plastic bag under your seat and you will get no tickets.

Pattaya does have law enforcement of sorts. At least 3 to 4 days, on my walk on the beach side of Beach Road, I see Pattaya Police hard at work. Right in front for the Police Headquarters (Beach Road beside Central Festival) the police stop every motor bike ridden be a farang to check papers and enforce helmet laws etc. If you stand there and watch as I have many times it is easy to see that this law enforcement completely targets and discriminatory toward farang. NO ONE Thai is stopped , not even the ones with 4 people on one motorbike none with helmets. Is this the way Thai Tourism attracts people to Thailand? It seems the the Tourism Authority and the Thai Police are sending mixed messages. I politely asked a Thai police officer writing tickets, in the Thai language, why only farang were being stopped. I got no answer and left the area before I could be arrested and jacked up for a 1000 baht fine. I live here and have for years. The nonsense doesn't affect me that much . I keep a 1000 baht note paper clipped to my motorcycle papers under the seat . I have NEVER been ticketed. I have had to replace that 1000 baht note several times. However, this targeting of farang might affect the decisions that tourists make regarding their next vacation destination. Just for fun, visit "transparency.org " and see where Thailand ranks on the "World Corruption Index". I'll save you the time.....108th! Maybe that is why the Russians come here. Russia ranks 141st on the same index. The Russians feel at home in Thailand.

My grandmother always told me that a fool and his money are easily parted. Who would wear a real gold neckless around Pattaya? Asked and answered....A FOOL!

Visit "transparency.org" and check out where Thailand is ranked in the "world corruption index". I'll save you the effort ...Thailand is ranked 114 th most corrupt country in the world but don't take my word for it. Check it out yourself. transparenct.org I am working on my 2025 exit plan from the land of smiles. BYW, the reason the Russians feel so at home in Thailand is that Russia is ranked 141 st on the world corruption index.